Abstract
Objectives: A critical component of the 2009 H1N1 vaccination campaign was the collection of immunization data at the point of care. To meet reporting requirements and to ensure timely availability of coverage information, many jurisdictions across Canada employed new or modified approaches to vaccine data collection. The objective of this study was to observe and characterize the range of influenza immunization data collection approaches used across Canada.
Methods: As part of a multi-stage observational study, the research team visited immunization clinics at which tasks related to data collection and management were observed.Tasks included registration, medical history collection and review, vaccine record-keeping, proof of vaccination preparation, and data entry. Field notes were analyzed in order to understand the data collection mechanisms that comprised each information system as a whole.
Results: Data collection mechanisms were grouped into two categories: electronic systems (9/38), in which all data were captured on computer; and hybrid systems (29/38), comprised of computerized and paper-based data collection tasks. Observed systems included stand-alone databases, immunization registries, and electronic health records. Organizations incorporated magnetic card reader technology, telephone registration, and pre-populated fields into data collection approaches. Electronic systems captured a greater number of data elements.
Conclusion: Canadian jurisdictions employed a range of data collection approaches during the H1N1 vaccination campaign. System characteristics can have important implications for on-site efficiency and organization as well as program planning and evaluation. The systems observed have been described in detail to allow vaccine providers and planners to learn from what has been done elsewhere.
Keywords: Influenza, human, immunization, information systems
Résumé
Objectifs: L’un des éléments clés de la campagne de vaccination de 2009 contre la grippe H1N1 était la collecte de données d’immunisation au point d’intervention. Pour respecter les exigences de déclaration et assurer la disponibilité en temps utile des données sur la couverture vaccinale, de nombreuses administrations au Canada ont employé des approches nouvelles ou modifiées pour cette collecte de données vaccinales. Nous avons voulu observer et caractériser l’éventail d’approches utilisées au Canada pour la collecte de données sur le vaccin contre la grippe.
Méthode: Dans le cadre d’une étude observationnelle multistade, l’équipe de recherche a visité des cliniques de vaccination pour y observer les tâches de collecte et de gestion des données: inscription, prise et examen des antécédents médicaux, tenue des registres de vaccination, préparation des preuves de vaccination et saisie des données. Les notes de terrain ont été analysées afin de comprendre les mécanismes de collecte de données de chaque système d’information.
Résultats: Les mécanismes de collecte ont été regroupés en deux catégories: les systèmes électroniques (9/38), où toutes les données sont saisies par ordinateur; et les systèmes hybrides (29/38), où la collecte des données se fait par ordinateur et sur papier. Les systèmes observés comprenaient des bases de données autonomes, des registres d’immunisation et des dossiers médicaux électroniques. Les établissements ont utilisé des lecteurs de cartes magnétiques, l’inscription téléphonique et des champs préremplis comme méthodes de collecte de données. Les systèmes électroniques ont saisi un plus grand nombre d’éléments d’information.
Conclusion: Les administrations canadiennes ont employé diverses méthodes de collecte de données durant la campagne de vaccination contre la grippe H1N1. Les caractéristiques de ces systèmes peuvent avoir d’importantes conséquences sur l’efficacité et l’organisation de la clinique, ainsi que sur la planification et l’évaluation du programme. Les systèmes observés sont décrits en détail pour permettre aux vaccinateurs et aux planificateurs d’apprendre de ce qui se fait ailleurs.
Motsclés: grippe humaine, immunisation, systèmes d’information
Footnotes
Acknowledgements: PCIRN Vaccine Coverage Theme Group members are: David Allison, Julie Bettinger, Nicole Boulianne, Stephanie Brien, David Buckeridge, Larry Chambers, Natasha Crowcroft, Shelley Deeks, Michael Finkelstein, Julie Foisy, Effie Gournis, Maryse Guay, Jemila Hamid, Christine Heidebrecht, Donna Kalailieff, Faron Kolbe, Jeff Kwong, Allison McGeer, Jane Nassif, Jennifer Pereira, Susan Quach, Sherman Quan, Beate Sander, Chris Sikora, and Don Willison.
This study was supported by an operating grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The Canadian Association for Immunization Research and Evaluation provided networking assistance. We are grateful for the contributions and support of the organizations across Canada that participated in this study.
Conflict of Interest: Maryse Guay received a research grant from Hoffman-Laroche in 2006, and honoraria from Merck Frosst Canada for lectures delivered between 2007-2009. Jennifer Pereira is engaged in consultancy work for GlaxoSmithKline in areas unrelated to influenza vaccine. No other authors have conflicts of interest.
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