Date of Award
Summer 2024
Project Type
Thesis
College or School
CHHS
Department
Nursing
Program or Major
Direct Entry Master's of Nursing
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Pamela Kallmerten
Second Advisor
Elizabeth Evans
Abstract
Background: Childhood immunization rates for children aged 2 years and under at a community health center were assessed and determined to be below optimal levels. Immunizations protect against preventable diseases (Hill, 2023). The project assessed the microsystem to understand low immunization rates and to guide strategies for improvement.
Methods: The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model was used. In the planning phase, key stakeholders were consulted to assess current rates and barriers contributing to immunization rates. The chosen intervention was placed simplified immunization schedules in pediatric exam rooms to educate parents and promote adherence.
Intervention: A visual guide detailing the recommended vaccination schedule was placed in each pediatric exam room to after strong staff-support was shown in a pre-intervention survey.
Results: The implementation team included the writer, quality improvement nurses, pediatricians, registered nurses and medical assistants. Feedback from a post-intervention survey indicated successful implementation of the visual schedule based on staff observations of parental interactions. The intervention aimed to educate parents and increase vaccination adherence.
Conclusion: The project demonstrated that enhancing parental education and support may impact immunization rates significantly. The visual immunization schedule proved to be a cost-effective strategy for reducing vaccine hesitancy. Further efforts should focus on maintaining these gains and exploring additional education tools to further improve pediatric immunization rates at this community health center.
Keywords: Childhood immunization, vaccine hesitancy, parental education, community health center, pediatric, visual immunization schedule.
Recommended Citation
DiCola, Dayna, "Increasing Pediatric Vaccination Rates through Parental Education at a Federally Qualified Community Health Center: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project" (2024). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1791.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1791