Abstract
BackgroundWe sought to characterize how the term “missed opportunities” is reported in the literature in the context of immunization rates and to assess how missed opportunities can be operationalized.MethodsPeer-reviewed literature searches were conducted in April – May, 2015, to answer: “What methods research studies used to operationalize missed opportunities to vaccinate?” A meta-narrative review methodology was used.ResultsSeven studies met inclusion criteria. The methodologies for quantifying missed opportunities fell into two general categories based on: 1. the number of healthcare encounters per patient without appropriate vaccination services, defined as a number of visits per patient with no vaccination related services (Missed opportunities per patient); 2. vaccination status as “non-vaccinated” among a group of patients who had a healthcare encounter where the vaccination should/could have had happened (Missed opportunities per population).ConclusionsOur study provided an initial overview of the methods reported in the literature, and concluded that the quantifiable missed opportunity holds promise as a measurable outcome (variable) for research and quality improvement projects aimed to increase adult immunization recommendation and uptake in primary care.
Highlights
We sought to characterize how the term “missed opportunities” is reported in the literature in the context of immunization rates and to assess how missed opportunities can be operationalized
Health care encounters in which a person eligible to receive vaccinations is not vaccinated [3] occur in any setting where vaccinations are
The objectives of this paper are to: 1. characterize the missed opportunities in adult vaccinations in published articles relevant to primary care; 2. synthesize evidence pertaining to operationalization of missed opportunities concept; and 3. explore the potential of operationalized or quantifiable missed opportunities as a measurable outcome for research and quality improvement projects focused on adult immunizations in primary care
Summary
We sought to characterize how the term “missed opportunities” is reported in the literature in the context of immunization rates and to assess how missed opportunities can be operationalized. Adult immunization rates in US, remain well below Healthy People 2020 suggested targets for influenza vaccinations in adults >65 (target 90%), and for pneumococcal disease in adults ≥65 years (target 90%), and in persons at high risk for pneumococcal disease aged 18–64 (target 60%) [1]. Health care encounters in which a person eligible to receive vaccinations is not vaccinated [3] occur in any setting where vaccinations are. It is common in published literature on vaccination to state that missed opportunities to vaccinate exist and likely contribute to the persistently high levels of vaccinepreventable illness and gaps in achieving the populationwide Healthy People 2020 goals. The term missed opportunities generally is not characterized well and is often used interchangeably with other terms that refer to poor immunization status in individual patients or populations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
