Medical Staff

Study: Hospital vaccination programs are cost effective

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, May 9, 2007

A study published in the February 9 issue of Vaccine found that standing order programs (SOPs) are a cost-effective way to increase adult vaccination coverage rates in hospitals.

Amanda A. Honeycutt, MD, the lead investigator of the study, and her colleagues examined the cost-effectiveness of vaccination programs in nine North Carolina hospitals. Hospital programs in the study used SOPs, preprinted orders requiring a physician's signature to vaccinate, and in-hospital physician reminders about vaccinating at-risk patients.

The study found that the additional cost per patient vaccinated in 2004 was $58 for SOPs, $90 for physician reminders, and $412 for preprinted orders. The investigators noted that vaccination coverage rates are well below Healthy People 2010 goals-a national health promotion and disease prevention initiative sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

To read the study's abstract, go to www.sciencedirect.com.

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