Flu DRIVE Library

DRIVE

Flu QI Library

Assessment and Outreach

Goal Rationale Time line QI Team

Review the flu vaccination rates by race/ethnicity from last year

People of color typically have lower rates of vaccination and greater risks of vaccine preventable disease; in addition, people with comorbidities are at greater risk of poorer outcomes from influenza and COVID

2 4 weeks

Clinicians, data analysts, patient coordinator

Survey patients about flu vaccine barriers

Understanding barriers to vaccination and hesitancy can help you work with them to improve outcomes.

1 month

Clinical staff, administrative staff, patient coordinator

Survey staff concerning barriers to flu vaccination

Educating staff on understanding barriers to vaccination can positively impact a patient’s decision to vaccinate, as well as tailor messaging in a vaccination campaign or PDSA

1 month

Clinical staff, administrative staff

Assessment and Outreach

Population Measurement Additional Notes

Patients eligible for flu vaccination especially minoritized populations

Strategy: Run Electronic Medical Record (EMR) report or conduct chart review to determine vaccine status.

Measures: # of patients vaccinated against the flu/# of eligible patients

See Kaiser Family Foundation flu vaccination rates by race/ethnicity

Patients eligible for flu vaccination especially minoritized populations

Strategy: Survey via the patient portal, EMR, or paper survey during check in/rooming

Measures: # of eligible patients, # of completed surveys; thematic analysis on barriers identified

Educate clinical team to identify barriers to vaccination and care, especially systemic racism and medical mistrust.

Clinic staff

Strategies: Paper or electronic survey on knowledge and self efficacy of barriers on flu vaccination

Educate staff about barriers to vaccination

Measures: # of staff surveyed

Empathy towards barriers, such as medical mistrust and systemic racism, is important

Assessment and Outreach

Goal Rationale Time line QI Team

Identification of high risk patients (older adults, patients with chronic conditions)

Patients >50, immunocompromised, and/or with comorbidities are at greater risk of poorer outcomes from influenza and COVID

1 month

Clinicians, clinical staff

Outreach to patients (overall or in high risk groups) to remind them to come get their flu vaccine

Reminder recall is an effective method for increasing flu vaccination rates

2 month

Practice manager, IT staff, front desk

Assessment and Outreach

Population Measurement Additional Notes

Patients eligible for flu vaccination, especially minoritized populations and those at higher risk

Strategy: Run Electronic Medical Record (EMR) report or conduct chart review to determine vaccine status and those at high risk

Measures: # of patients at high risk who have received a flu vaccine

Patients who have not received a flu vaccine, including those at high risk

Strategy: Send a text, call, or use the patient portal to communicate to patients about getting a flu shot

Measures: # of patients identified, # of patients communicated with, # of patients who came in to get their flu shot

It is especially important to identify your high risk patients requiring a flu vaccine.

This strategy can be repeated on a monthly basis throughout flu season

Education

Goal Rationale Time line QI Team

Strengthen team based recommendation of flu vaccination

The whole practice team can affirm the importance of receiving the flu vaccine during the visit.

Educate clinical team about flu: dangers of flu, status of flu season, changes (HD recommendati on changes)

It’s important for staff to understand the risks of contracting of flu, as well as benefits of vaccinations, so they can provide proper patient educations

1 month

Clinicians, clinic staff

Educate patients about the risks of flu and the benefits of vaccination

Many patients lack accurate information about the flu and the flu vaccine

2 weeks

Clinicians, clinical staff

flu season Front desk, nurses

Education

Population Measurement Additional Notes

Strategy: Train staff on how to communicate about flu vaccination

Patients eligible for flu vaccination, especially minoritized populations

Measures: # of staff educated about making a strong flu vaccine recommendation

Strategy: Create or utilize appropriate education tools, such as webinars, online learning, etc.

Entire clinical team

All patients

Measures: # staff who attended; # of educational materials distributed; # of staff who retained knowledge or learned something (conduct via survey before and after training)

It is important to provide each staff person guidance on how to talk about flu vaccination

Your health system may have resources or trainings on the dangers of flu, as well as the benefits of vaccination

Strategy: Posters and patient hand outs are useful resources for many patients, including answers to frequently asked questions

Measures: Number of posters hung up; number of handouts given to patients; flu vaccines given/rate

It is important to use resources that are culturally appropriate, at the right level of health literacy, and in the languages spoken by the patient population

Community Engagement

Goal Rationale Time line QI Team

Work with a local church or hair stylist/barber to educate their community about the importance of a flu vaccine

Church leaders and hair stylists and barbers are trusted voices in their communities and can be great partners in engaging and educating people of color

Work with a local church or hair stylist/barber to provide their community with flu shots

Because these community organizations are places where individuals already congregate, it offers an opportunity for bridging barriers to vaccination

6 months

Clinicians, clinical staff, community ambassador/ liaison

Implement a mobile or outdoor flu vaccination clinic

Transportation issues are often a significant barrier to flu vaccination

2 3 months

Clinicians, clinical staff, community partners

Over the flu season

Clinic leadership, practice manager, nurses, IT team member

Community Engagement

Population Measurement Additional Notes

Community populations

Strategy: Identify community partners. Coordinate education efforts/campaigns with community partners, and provide support/resources as needed

Measures: # of participating community members

Creating a sustained relationship with community leaders and stakeholders can help build trust and promote health and health equity

Patients eligible for flu vaccination, especially minoritized populations

Strategies: Ensure proper planning and logistics are in place (venue, medical staff, equipment, etc.) Provide resources and incentives for community members to be vaccinated

Measures: # of eligible patients vaccinated

Strategy: Consult experts and resources on successfully setting up a flu clinic

Health systems and pharmacies often offer free flu vaccination; ensure patients/ community members are able to be vaccinated.

Community members

Measures: Number of clinics implemented; number of vaccines given

You may need to determine the way in which you will collect insurance information

Community Engagement

Goal Rationale Time line QI Team

Implement/ed ucate staff about standing orders

By having standing orders, clinical staff is on the same page about education and distributing flu vaccine to patients

2 4 months

Clinicians, clinical staff

Educate patients about the flu vaccine with posters/hand outs

Posters and hand outs are good health advertisements 1 3 months

Clinicians, clinical staff, administrative staff, patient navigator

Community Engagement

Population Measurement Additional Notes

Patients eligible for flu vaccination, especially minoritized populations

Strategy: Presentation & resources on how to ensure standing order on importance of flu vaccination is communicated to each patient;

Measures: # of clinical staff; # educated; gain in knowledge, practice and attitudes

Standing orders helps prevent patients who are eligible to receive the flu vaccine from falling through the cracks

Patients eligible for flu vaccination, especially minoritized populations

Strategy: Identify distributable resources or delegate trained staff member(s) to create approved posters or hand outs. Provide materials to patients when able. Survey patients to see if your poster or hand out convinced them to be vaccinated.

Measures: # of patients educated about flu vaccine; # of patients vaccinated;

CDC, FDA, various health systems/depart ments and a multitude of organizations provide posters or hand outs on the importance of flu vaccination

Community Engagement

Goal Rationale Time line QI Team

Educate patients about the flu vaccine with posters/ hand-outs

Posters and hand outs are good health advertisements

1 3 months

Clinicians, clinical staff, administrative staff, patient navigator

Develop and implement a plan for co administering flu/covid vaccines

Vaccination for flu and COVID are important, especially for those with comorbidities. It’s safe to receive both vaccines at the same time if appropriate

2 3 months

Clinicians, clinical staff, patient navigators

Community Engagement

Population Measurement Additional Notes

Patients eligible for flu vaccination, especially minoritized populations

Strategy: Identify distributable resources or delegate trained staff member(s) to create approved posters or hand-outs. Provide materials to patients when able. Survey patients to see if your poster or hand out convinced them to be vaccinated.

Measures: # of patients educated about flu vaccine; # of patients vaccinated;

CDC, FDA, various health systems/depart ments and a multitude of organizations provide posters or hand outs on the importance of flu vaccination

Patients eligible for flu vaccination, especially minoritized populations

Strategy: Disseminate information on flu/COVID vaccination to community partners, so the public understands the importance of double vaccination, and to dispel any myths. Plan with your health system and/or your state/local health department to ensure you have vaccines available, as well as staff, etc. Ensure community partners have resources at their disposal to drive their clients to vaccination

Measures: # of staff; # of trained staff; # of vaccines given; # of community partners

CDC, FDA, various health systems/depart ments and a multitude of organizations have a plethora of resources on COVID and flu vaccination

NOTES