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 Preventing the flu - it's worth a shot
It is recommended that patients with asthma have an annual visit for asthma to ensure their asthma is well controlled. These visits provide important opportunities to administer or schedule the flu shot and to provide patient education. In addition, a number of other strategies have been developed to increase immunizations. These include:
- Standing orders for nurses and pharmacists in clinics, hospitals and nursing homes that enable providers other than a physician to deliver vaccinations to patients.
- Feedback to providers to inform them about the vaccination status of their asthma patients.
- Mailed/telephoned reminders to patients to let them know that they are due for their flu shot.
- Expanded access such as "drop-in" clinics, "express lane" vaccination services, Saturday clinics, and vaccination services at retail outlets to provide more opportunities for obtaining a flu shot.
- Chart reminders such as stickers or checklists that indicate asthma patients due for flu shots.
- Patient education and healthcare provider education on the safety and efficacy of the flu shot for their patients with asthma.
The CDC provides examples of these and other strategies at www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/flustrat.htm and a toolkit for health care professionals at www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/.
The Oregon Department of Human Services also provides a flu tool-kit for Oregon health care providers at www.oshd.org/acd/flu/influenza.cfm.
The Community Guide provides a systematic review of the effectiveness of selected population based interventions aimed at improving vaccination coverage in children, adolescents and adults at www.thecommunityguide.org/vaccine/default.htm.
Information about Oregon clinics administering flu vaccine can be obtained by dialing 1-800-SAFENET (1-800-723-3638). |
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