How often do you provide vaccinations to your hospitalized patients when they are found to be behind schedule? Bryan et al (10.1542/peds.2021-053925) share with us an analysis of a retrospective cohort of over 1.1 million children hospitalized in 49 different children’s hospitals that contribute to the Pediatric Health Information System database about inpatient vaccination.
Prior studies suggest that many hospitalized children are behind in recommended vaccines. In this study, only 12.9% of patients due for vaccinations received them. Furthermore, the variation is remarkable. For example, from 1 to 45% gave the birth dose of Hepatitis B or gave influenza vaccines to eligible patients who were due for it. In addition, the authors found that those with longer hospital stays or who are medically complex who were more likely to get a needed routine vaccine beyond Hepatitis B or influenza vaccination. The article provides important thoughts about why these variations might exist.
Please give this study your best shot in terms of taking the time to read and digest the many concerning findings shared as well as some key limitations also worth noting—and then think what might be done to improve the inpatient vaccination rates in your own hospital setting.
