KEYWORDS:
Quick and Easy Office/Clinic Based Strategies, Comforting Techniques, Reminder System, Parental Education, Immunization Promotion

BACKGROUND:
Despite great efforts many clinics have challenges in providing comforting techniques to all children following immunization administration, sufficient education for parents, and effective promotional materials. As more safe and effective vaccines are recommended for the children, the time crunch for staff intensifies. In Aurora, Colorado, implementation of a variety of practical, easy to implement, and cost effective immunization strategies have contributed to improved immunization coverage rates over the past two years.

OBJECTIVE(S):
To provide health professionals with an overview of easily implemented comforting techniques, strategies for a low-tech reminder system, and examples of immunization promotional and educational approaches that are applicable in office or clinic settings.

METHOD(S):
Interactive PowerPoint presentation discussing three aspects of comforting techniques: what the child is experiencing, what the medical staff can do and what the parents can do. Included in this presentation is an explanation of how to gradually implement an effective reminder system as well as displays of various educational and promotional items.

RESULT(S):
Attendees will learn practical strategies of comforting children that may be applied by health professionals and parents. Attendees will also learn low tech, less fuss reminder methods and easy to manage immunization promotional ideas to increase parental awareness.

CONCLUSIONS(S):
The information presented can help staff in clinics and practices implement simple yet effective methods to improve the delivery of their immunization services including comforting children, sending reminders, and enhancing promotional and educational materials.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1.) Describe multiple comforting techniques that can be applied in a hectic clinical setting.
2.) Identify one way to gradually implement a reminder system in a clinic.
3.) List three approaches for parental immunization education and promotion.