Jean-Venable R. Goode1,
Dennis D. Stanley2,
Mitchel Rothholz3, John O. Beckner
2, and Ralph E. Small
4. (1) Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980533, Richmond, VA, USA, (2) Ukrop's Super Markets, 3460 Pump Road, Richmond, VA, USA, (3) American Pharmacists Association, 2215 Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC, USA, (4) Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth Unioversity School of Pharmacy, PO Box 980533, Richmond, VA, USA
BACKGROUND:
It is estimated that approximately 40-60% of adults at risk for pneumococcal disease are not vaccinated. Pharmacists, an accessible health care provider, are in a key position to provide advocacy and vaccine administration. Ukrop’s, a local supermarket chain in the area of greater Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Williamsburg, Virginia, has been offering pharmacy-based immunization services for the past 6 years. This project will assess if a focused community pharmacist involvement in advocacy and administration will increase pneumococcal vaccine rates.
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the impact of community pharmacist advocacy and administration of pneumococcal vaccine on the number of at-risk patients receiving the vaccine.
METHOD:
A prospective descriptive study conducted from April 2003-2004 in 18 Ukrop’s Super Market Pharmacies in the Richmond area. The pharmacies were randomized into three separate groups, basic, intermediate and advanced. The basic group will not advocate and will only administer pneumococcal vaccine if asked by a patient. The intermediate group will send letters to patients at-risk for pneumococcal disease recommending vaccination at the pharmacy or physician’s office. Patients will be identified from the prescription database. Additionally, they will advocate for pneumococcal vaccine during the fall influenza campaign. The advanced group will advocate and administer pneumococcal vaccine during the entire year. Pharmacists also used pneumococcal accessory labels for prescription bottles and bags. The main outcome is the number of patients receiving pneumococcal vaccine.
RESULT:
The pharmacists administered a total of 657 pneumococcal vaccinations from April-December 2003; advanced 209, intermediate 360, basic 84, respectively. During the fall (October – December), pharmacists increased the number of pneumococcal vaccines given by 57% compared to the same time period in 2002.
CONCLUSION:
Pharmacists can increase the number of patients receiving pneumococcal vaccine through advocacy and vaccine administration.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the role of the pharmacist in pneumococcal vaccine advocacy and administration.