Optimizing influenza vaccination among oncology patients through quality improvement cycles.

Authors

null

Emma Hannan

Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, PA

Emma Hannan , Amy Leader , Brooke Worster , Valerie Pracilio Csik , Claudia Thomas-Nembhard , Assita Sylla

Organizations

Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, PA, Department of Medical Oncology, Division of Population Science, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center - Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, PA

Research Funding

No funding received

Background: Influenza poses significant risks to cancer patients, who are especially vulnerable due to immunosuppression caused by both their disease and treatment. (Cooksley et al., 2005) Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Jefferson Health (SKCC)’s Quality Improvement (QI) initiative aimed to increase influenza vaccination rates among adult cancer patients in our Center City clinic from October 2023 to March 2024. At baseline in the 2022-2023 flu season, 49% of our patients had a documented vaccination against influenza, leaving most of our patient population at increased risk for influenza infection. Methods: A series of four Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were implemented over the course of the vaccination season. Cycle 1 collected baseline data on vaccination status via electronic health records (EHRs) and identified gaps in patient knowledge and vaccine hesitancy. Cycle 2 trained medical assistants (MAs) to engage in effective vaccination conversations, emphasizing the use of presumptive communication techniques and the reconciliation of immunization records in EHRs. Cycle 3 integrated patient education materials on vaccination in the clinical encounter. Cycle 4 scaled assessment protocols across teams. Results: Cumulatively, 68% (2,592/3,824) of unique oncology patients had a documented influenza vaccination by the completion of the season in March 2024. Integration of vaccine reconciliation into the MA workflow was the iteration that led to the biggest increase in vaccination rate among the PDSA cycles tested. We surpassed our initial aim for the season (59%) in this metric. Conclusions: The QI project at SKCC demonstrates that layered strategies involving both patients and care teams can improve vaccination rates among adult cancer patients. Integration of vaccine assessment into clinic workflows was an effective tactic. Future efforts will focus on replicating these successes with other vaccines.

Rates of influenza vaccination by PDSA cycle.

Cycle #DateCycle DescriptionOutcome Metric: Cumulative Vaccination Rate (%)
1Oct 2023Provider perception survey of vaccination knowledge65
2Nov 2023Integration of vaccine reconciliation in MA workflow69
3Dec 2023Integration of patient education materials to clinical encounter70
4Jan 2024 – Mar 2024Scaling of updated workflows to entire clinic68

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2024 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A

Track

Quality, Safety, and Implementation Science,Cost, Value, and Policy,Patient Experience,Palliative and Supportive Care

Sub Track

Application of Quality Improvement Tools

Citation

JCO Oncol Pract 20, 2024 (suppl 10; abstr 285)

DOI

10.1200/OP.2024.20.10_suppl.285

Abstract #

285

Poster Bd #

E25

Abstract Disclosures

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