Case Study: St. Luke’s University Health Network 2019 HAP Achievement Award

Awarded for:  Developing an Industry-leading Vaccine Management Program

In Safe Hands

Large Organizations

The goal:  Improve vaccine storage and handling to promote vaccine efficacy, reduce vaccine wastage, and minimize financial loss.

St. Luke’s two-year audit of vaccine temperature monitoring logs found that nearly half of all physician practices had issues with vaccination storage. What’s more, nearly half of practices with storage issues had to revaccinate patients because the first round of vaccines received was potentially compromised.

A root-cause analysis, completed during July, 2016, revealed gaps in knowledge, equipment, and oversight. These gaps were addressed by:

• Appointment of a director of vaccine management as well as vaccine coordinators in physician practices
• Staff education according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Best Practice Guidelines
• Replacement of storage equipment based on practices’ vaccine volumes and current equipment

Results:  The percentage of practices requiring revaccination between January, 1, 2017, and March 31, 2018, dropped to zero, avoiding the need for—and cost of—more than 2,017 revaccinations annually.

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Topics: Public Health, Quality Initiatives

Revision Date: 9/1/2019

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