Reminder/Recall in Public Health Settings

Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
• Define a manageable reminder/recall system
• Identify the effectiveness of a reminder/recall system
• Apply reminder/recall strategies

Background:
Based on NIS results, vaccination rates of Texas' children 19-35 months of age for 4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 1 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B, 3 Hib, and 1 Varicella (4:3:1:3:3:1) increased between 2004 and 2005 but decreased in 2006. While client mobility is a factor, we continue to find that children are up-to-date but records in our registry (ImmTrac) and client encounter system (TWICES) are not current because many vaccines given by private providers are not included. While ImmTrac receives imports from Medicaid, WIC, and other EMRs, some providers do not understand the importance of the registry or the law that governs the reporting of immunizations.

Setting:
Immunization records of children that are available to public health clinics within 23 counties in the Central Texas area.

Population:
Children between 19 and 35 months of age whose immunization records are incomplete.

Project Description:
• Reminder system • postcard to parent when next vaccine is due
• Recall system • request report of non-compliant children 19-23 months of age from ImmTrac • generate letter and mail to parent
• Methods for tracking and evaluation purposes • utilization of CoCASA reports for assessment of 4:3:1:3:3:1 in each public heatlh clinic • tracking of outreach efforts for reminder and recall systems

Results/Lessons Learned:
On a monthly basis, 8% of the children are being vaccinated and 18% of the records are being updated with needed immunization information.