The United States Community Preventive Services Task Force (USCPSTF) and the CDC appear to be vital resources involved in the goal of increasing pneumococcal vaccination rates in outpatient adults 65 years and older in the United States (Healthy People 2020 website, 2015). APRNs, as well as other health care providers, must utilize resourceful tools to assist in the increase of pneumococcal vaccination coverage in this patient population. Education and screening by providers, immunization information systems (IIS), vaccine reminder systems, and standing orders may all assist the practitioner in ensuring the pneumococcal vaccination coverage is adequate in the outpatient adult population 65 years and older.
Availability of Resources
There are numerous resources available to assist the outpatient adult population 65 years and older. Many resources have been mentioned in this paper that have evaluated the problem of pneumococcal vaccination coverage in this population and have provided extensive evidence and support to increase vaccination rates (e.g., CDC, Department of Health and Senior Services, …show more content…
Nowalk, Bardella, and Zimmerman (2004) found that clinic establishments with staff that promoted the pneumococcal vaccinations in combination with appropriate time allowed for primary care visits almost doubled the pneumococcal vaccination status (as cited in Koch, 2012). This shows that time and effort put into education and promotion are effective tools in the goal of increasing pneumococcal vaccination rates in outpatient adults 65 years and older. APRNs and other health care providers must allocate time and utilize resources (e.g. VIS, verbal education, visual tools, pamphlets) to appropriately educate their patients on the benefits of pneumococcal vaccinations, as well as all recommended vaccinations and primary care
Availability of Resources
There are numerous resources available to assist the outpatient adult population 65 years and older. Many resources have been mentioned in this paper that have evaluated the problem of pneumococcal vaccination coverage in this population and have provided extensive evidence and support to increase vaccination rates (e.g., CDC, Department of Health and Senior Services, …show more content…
Nowalk, Bardella, and Zimmerman (2004) found that clinic establishments with staff that promoted the pneumococcal vaccinations in combination with appropriate time allowed for primary care visits almost doubled the pneumococcal vaccination status (as cited in Koch, 2012). This shows that time and effort put into education and promotion are effective tools in the goal of increasing pneumococcal vaccination rates in outpatient adults 65 years and older. APRNs and other health care providers must allocate time and utilize resources (e.g. VIS, verbal education, visual tools, pamphlets) to appropriately educate their patients on the benefits of pneumococcal vaccinations, as well as all recommended vaccinations and primary care