KEYWORDS:
adult immunization, influenza, pneumococcal, long-term care

BACKGROUND:
In May 2001, 19 long-term care (LTC) facilities in Idaho were assessed for influenza and pneumococcal immunization coverage rates for the 2000-2001 influenza season. Patients with short stays (³45 days) were identified and these patients were compared with LTC residents for demographic and immunization characteristics.

OBJECTIVE(S):
To determine differences in influenza and pneumococcal immunization rates between short-stay patients and LTC residents.

METHOD(S):
Chart review of all current LTC residents and new admissions between September 1, 2000 and February 28, 2001. Immunization information was supplemented with immunization logs and pharmacy records when available.

RESULT(S):
Medical records for 1,211 persons were reviewed, with 1,030 (85%) LTC residents and 181 (15%) short-stays identified. Age of the two groups was similar, with a mean age for LTC residents of 82.2 years and for short-stay patients of 81.6 years. LTC residents were more likely to be female than were short-stay patients, with 13% and 18% respectively (p<0.03). Race did not differ between the two groups. Overall, 722 (70%) LTC residents received influenza vaccine compared with 32 (18%) short-stay patients (p<0.001). In addition, 459 (45%) LTC residents received pneumococcal vaccine compared with 30 (17%)short-stay patients (p<0.001). Both immunizations were received by 405 (39%) LTC residents and 12 (7%) short-stay patients (p<0001).

CONCLUSIONS(S):
In this study, short-stay patients had significantly lower immunization rates when compared to LTC residents. This highlights the fact that LTC facilities experience missed opportunities for screening and vaccinating new admissions, even during the influenza season. LTC facilities need to adopt vaccination policies that cover both long term residents and short-stay rehabilitation patients.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Understand missed opportunities for vaccinating short-stay residents.