BACKGROUND:
The effectiveness of assessment and feedback of provider based vaccine coverage information has been well documented to be an effective methodology to improve immunization rates. Although a standard method for assessment of childhood immunizations (CASA software program) has been used for several years, similar software for assessment of adult immunizations (A-CASA) has only been available for the past two years.

OBJECTIVE:
Evluation of the use of the A-CASA software for the assessment of adult immunizations.

METHOD:
A-CASA Version 2.2.1 was utilized to assess influenza, pneumococcal and tetanus vaccine coverage information for 148 adults aged 50 years and older seen in 11 public and private practices in 2002.

RESULT:
Overall, 43% of adults 65 years and older received influenza vaccine and 44% received pneumococcal vaccine. In the 50 - 64 year age group, 32% received influenza vaccine. Of the 50 - 64 year age group identified as high risk, 30% received influenza vaccine and 21% received pneumococcal vaccine. Less than one-fifth (17%) of adults 50 years and older had documentation of tetanus vaccine in the preceding 10 years. The advantages of A-CASA are: standardization of data collection and the ease of data analysis and reporting. Disadvantages of Version 2.2.1 include: the need to change screens after entering each antigen, the need to utilize the "save antigen" step after entering each antigen (i.e. no autosave feature), time consuming data entry, lack of separate fields for tetanus and tetanus-diphtheria, and inability to customize reports outside of a yes/no format.

CONCLUSION:
A-CASA is a highly effective tool for providing a standardized assessment of provider based vaccine coverage.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The reader will gain knowledge about an effective methodology for the assessment of adult immunization coverage rates that can be used to improve these rates through provider feedback.