“SHOT LINE” Reveals Unregulated & Unsafe Practices

Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to understand the importance of insuring safe administration of immunizations.
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to recognize the significance of standardizing education to unlicensed and unregulated medical assistants (MAs).

Background:
Idaho is ranked 41st in the nation for vaccine coverage. Our immunization delivery is compromised due to health care providers not understanding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine schedules and standards. Compounding the problem, medical professionals delegate immunization responsibilities to under qualified personnel. In response, the Shot Line Telephone Assistance Program was developed to answer immunization-related questions in order to minimize errors in immunization delivery.

Objectives:
This study was conducted by Boise State University (BSU) and Central District Health Department (CDHD) to assess the knowledge level of MAs administering the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in southwestern Idaho.

Methods:
BSU Department of Nursing students conducted a survey related to the storage and administration of the MMR vaccine by MAs in local medical offices. The surveys were completed and returned by the MAs.

Results:
The results of the survey confirmed our assumption of a knowledge deficit regarding proper storage and administration of the MMR vaccine by MAs. 45.3% of the respondents answered inconsistently, with 21.5% of these responding incorrectly. These findings suggest that 45.3 % of the MAs do not possess adequate knowledge to administer and store the MMR vaccine. The questions received by the Shot Line also validate a knowledge deficit exists.

Conclusions:
Currently, the Shot Line is used to provide accurate advice about immunization delivery, thereby providing immunization education. Based on the survey results, it appears necessary to standardize immunization education and regulate MAs administering and storing vaccines, in order to increase patient safety and insure accurate vaccine administration.