KEYWORDS:
Key Words: Data transfers, Local staff, Denver staff, Research staff, Recommendations

BACKGROUND:
Background: In January 1999 the Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition began an initiative to support physicians and their staff who give immunizations to children in five Colorado communities. Seventy practices or clinics are participating in eight separate communities, involving fifteen staff members and three researchers.

OBJECTIVE(S):
Objective: The purpose of this presentation is to share experiences gained while collecting the data for this project that may be useful to future efforts to improve and study immunization rates in multiple locations.

METHOD(S):
Methods: The research design will be shared briefly, as well as the process used to retrieve data and communicate changes in data gathering. At least ten specific problems that caused data disruptions will be shared. More importantly, five recommendations this project has established for our ongoing work will be shared that may be helpful for others to consider to avoid the challenges we experienced.

RESULT(S):
Results: Through the implementation and learning curves associated with this project, the following five recommendations with examples will be shared: 1.) Manage the learning curve proactively and aggressively. 2.) Designate one chief data gatherer for the operations area and one for the research team. 3.) Do not initially automate data pulls involving CASA data. 4). Perform a detailed review of all early results. 5.) Consider a moratorium on changes affecting staff more frequently than every four or six months.

CONCLUSIONS(S):
Conclusions: Documenting improvements in childhood immunization rates through a variety of tools, from multiple clinics and practices, can be problematic. The recommendations offered from this project may have applicability for other efforts.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Learning Objectives:
1. List four data problems encountered that could be prevented through advanced training and checklist tools.
2. List at least two recommendations that could reduce data collection challenges for future, decentralized immunization initiatives.