Editorial

Improving Inpatient Vaccinations: A Long Road Ahead

Authors: Danielle B. Scheurer, MD

Abstract

Physician compliance with established immunization guidelines continues to be an ongoing challenge in the effort to improve the quality and consistency of medical care. In this issue of Southern Medical Journal, Alagappan et al1 report their experience with emergency room physicians’ compliance with The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) tetanus guidelines in patients with soft tissue wounds. In this population, these researchers found a noncompliance rate of 16%. According to the national surveillance of tetanus victims from 1998 to 2000, 37% of eligible patients did not receive appropriate care according to ACIP guidelines.2 The present study also found a marked discrepancy between compliance in those patients admitted versus those discharged. This implies not a lack of familiarity or understanding of the guidelines, but rather a lack of consistent execution of a safe, effective, well-established intervention.

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