Monday, October 18, 2004 - 10:55 AM
2

Web-Based Forecasting: A Tool to Avoid Missed Opportunities

BACKGROUND:
Since its release in 2001, use of the ALERT Web has been expanding steadily, most noticeably among schools. Across the state, 52% of immunization history requests are placed by schools, requesting over 110,000 records in the last year. While the ALERT Web is well integrated into the school setting, opportunities remain for more complete integration into the clinic and child care settings. Missed opportunities, low up-to-date rates for 19-35 month olds and confusion regarding the complex immunization schedule demonstrate that there is a need for more timely forecasting information.

OBJECTIVE:
To explore the impact of online immunization forecasting to improve provider and school practice.

METHOD:
Conduct a descriptive analysis on use of the ALERT Web site pre- and post-forecaster roll-out to determine the impact of marketing efforts and forecaster availability.

RESULT:
Patterns of use of the ALERT Web site vary substantially. Oregon’s largest three counties requested over 101,000 online records in all, while two small rural counties reflected no use of the site. Schools averaged over 10,000 requests per month, peaking at 17,243 requests during the month preceding the school exclusion period. Private clinics make up 27% of total requests, averaging 5402 searches per month. Additional results will be analyzed and available following the Web-based forecaster roll-out in Summer 2004.

CONCLUSION:
Although additional results will be forthcoming, it is expected that the ALERT forecaster will positively impact the use of the ALERT Web site and the avoidance of missed opportunities in the clinical setting.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To explore how web tracking systems can help target and improve provider and school practices.


Web Page: www.immalert.org

  Recorded presentation

See more of Increasing Access to Immunization Registries
See more of The 2004 Immunization Registry Conference