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Vaccine storage practices in primary care physician offices: assessment and intervention.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gazmararian, JA; Oster, NV; Green, DC; Schuessler, L; Howell, K; Davis, J; Krovisky, M; Warburton, SW
Published in: Am J Prev Med
November 2002

PURPOSE: To assess the proportion of primary care physician (PCP) offices meeting vaccine storage guidelines, identify factors associated with low compliance, and evaluate whether a quality improvement (QI) activity improves compliance. METHODS: We examined compliance with guidelines of 721 PCP offices contracted with a national managed care organization in four cities. A QI activity (educational materials, written feedback, and distribution of thermometers) was conducted at baseline and a follow-up assessment occurred within 3 months. RESULTS: Baseline compliance was relatively high, with >80% adherence to most guidelines. For example, 89% of offices had a thermometer; and 83% of temperatures were appropriate. Most units did not have vaccines stored in the door or food/biological materials in the unit (80% and 96%, respectively). Almost all vaccines had not expired. Multivariate analysis indicated that practice location, type of physician, participation in vaccine programs, and using guidelines were associated with compliance. For most of the compliance measures, pediatric offices had the highest compliance. Adherence to guidelines improved after the QI activity; the net change between pre- and post-intervention ranged from +1% to +19%. Measurements most impacted included temperature log posted (19% improvement in refrigerator; 16% improvement in freezer) and no vaccine stored in refrigerator door (14% improvement). CONCLUSIONS: Despite generally high compliance, there are some opportunities for improvement in how PCPs store vaccines. Incorporating an intervention program in existing practice activities can improve storage practices. Further research is needed to determine the possible benefits of targeting interventions to certain types of providers who may be less knowledgeable about recommended guidelines.

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Published In

Am J Prev Med

DOI

ISSN

0749-3797

Publication Date

November 2002

Volume

23

Issue

4

Start / End Page

246 / 253

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Vaccines
  • Temperature
  • Refrigeration
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care
  • Public Health
  • Primary Health Care
  • Physicians' Offices
  • Logistic Models
  • Humans
  • Guideline Adherence
 

Citation

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Gazmararian, J. A., Oster, N. V., Green, D. C., Schuessler, L., Howell, K., Davis, J., … Warburton, S. W. (2002). Vaccine storage practices in primary care physician offices: assessment and intervention. Am J Prev Med, 23(4), 246–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(02)00512-3
Gazmararian, Julie A., Natalia V. Oster, Diane C. Green, Linda Schuessler, Kelly Howell, Janona Davis, Marybeth Krovisky, and Samuel W. Warburton. “Vaccine storage practices in primary care physician offices: assessment and intervention.Am J Prev Med 23, no. 4 (November 2002): 246–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(02)00512-3.
Gazmararian JA, Oster NV, Green DC, Schuessler L, Howell K, Davis J, et al. Vaccine storage practices in primary care physician offices: assessment and intervention. Am J Prev Med. 2002 Nov;23(4):246–53.
Gazmararian, Julie A., et al. “Vaccine storage practices in primary care physician offices: assessment and intervention.Am J Prev Med, vol. 23, no. 4, Nov. 2002, pp. 246–53. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0749-3797(02)00512-3.
Gazmararian JA, Oster NV, Green DC, Schuessler L, Howell K, Davis J, Krovisky M, Warburton SW. Vaccine storage practices in primary care physician offices: assessment and intervention. Am J Prev Med. 2002 Nov;23(4):246–253.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Prev Med

DOI

ISSN

0749-3797

Publication Date

November 2002

Volume

23

Issue

4

Start / End Page

246 / 253

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Vaccines
  • Temperature
  • Refrigeration
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care
  • Public Health
  • Primary Health Care
  • Physicians' Offices
  • Logistic Models
  • Humans
  • Guideline Adherence