KEYWORDS:
Pneumococcal immunization, clinical preventive services, registry, physician practice, community health

BACKGROUND:
In January 2000, SPARC, a nonprofit disease prevention organization, began working with healthcare providers in north Berkshire County, MA, to increase delivery of PPV. Participants included multi-physician practices, a visiting nurse agency, three long-term care facilities, and a hospital. Each provider is affiliated with Northern Berkshire Health Systems, and is linked to a common patient data system.

OBJECTIVE(S):
To develop a community-wide registry for documentation of PPV.

METHOD(S):
The Information Systems Department at the local hospital developed a “Clinical Preventive Services Screen” (CPSS) accessible from computers throughout the health system. The CPSS documents the provision of services and has a “look up” feature. It is password protected and the input source can be traced. Documentation of PPV status for patients not registered at the health system is recorded on a separate spreadsheet. A master data sheet was developed from both records.

RESULT(S):
Previous receipt of PPV was entered into the system, and providers began using the CPSS to look-up and document immunizations. The master sheet was sorted by provider for each medical practice. Physicians responded favorably to having this information immediately available. A list was created for VNA nurses to avoid revaccinations at public clinics. To date, data on PPV status have been recorded for 2,116 patients.

CONCLUSIONS(S):
The development of a community-wide information system provides documentation of PPV immunization status avoiding revaccination. An independent program such as SPARC is well positioned to develop and implement such a strategy.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe the elements of a community-wide adult immunization registry.