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Prioritizing Preventative Health in Older Adults Residing in Long-Term Care Facilities Through Vaccination

CP2 - Prioritizing Preventative Health in Older Adults Residing in Long-Term Care Facilities Through Vaccination

Poster Type: Research

Track/Topic: A. T. Still University; Quality of Care and Quality Improvement

Research Objectives: Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) house adults who require acute rehabilitation or long-term high-level care. Influenza and pneumonia cause 90% of deaths in adults 65+; only 42-66% of Pennsylvania LTCF residents receive these vaccinations. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to identify perceived barriers to vaccination in LTCFs across Pennsylvania.

Research Study Design/Methods: LTCFs located in Pennsylvania, identified by zip-code, were contacted via publicly available contact information and administrators were asked to participate in an anonymous phone survey designed to gather information regarding vaccination practices. Our survey contained questions and discussion prompts designed to assess the following: how vaccines are recorded, what information is recorded, how charts are checked for vaccination gaps, the vaccination process, and perceived barriers to vaccination.

Research Principal Findings and Quantitative/Qualitative Results: Of 406 eligible LTCFs, 109 were contacted and 22 agreed to participate (20.2%). Thirteen centers reported use of electronic records; 7 use both paper and electronic records. Vaccine records reportedly included patient identifying information (95.2%), injection site (76.1%), injection information (38.1%), and vaccination history (90.5%). Methods for vaccine tracking included chart reviews (28.6%), electronic alerts (42.9%), scheduled audits (38.1%), and vaccination at admission (19%). The most common vaccination process involved a physician ordering and administered by a nurse (57.1%). The main barriers perceived by more than half of participants included lack of patient education and issues with vaccine acquisition.

Research Conclusions on Impact on Health Centers: Although vaccination is vital to preventative health, 52.4% of LTCFs perceived barriers in vaccinating their residents. We determined a baseline understanding of how LTCFs track vaccination status and perceived barriers they face in getting residents vaccinated. Individual LTCFs can examine their own system to understand gaps they may face in vaccinations. Given the importance of vaccination in bringing an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing potential impediments to achieving higher vaccination rates in such a vulnerable population is essential. Future research projects could look at steps that can be taken to overcome these barriers and ultimately increase vaccination rates.

Authors:

Aishwarya Majumdar, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Catherine Lau, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Tanisha Mitra, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Alonso Abugattas, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Margaret McGrath, OMS-II, A. T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Christopher Vaccaro, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Dat Le, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Haneet Chadha, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Fatima Maqsood, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Sandra Rabat, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Alexander Silva, OMS-II, A. T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Erin McFadden, Internal Medicine Faculty Physician, Regional Director Medical Education, The Wright Center for Community Health

Kate Whelihan, MPH, CPH, COPC and Public Health Research Specialist, Department of Public Health, A T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Joy H. Lewis, DO, PhD, FACP, Professor, Medicine and Public Health Chair, SOMA Dept. of Public Health, A T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine