Vaccinations Quality Improvement Activity (QIA)

Vaccinations: Keeping Patients Protected

2024-2025 National Goals

Influenza Vaccination Goals

• The Network shall ensure that a minimum of 80% of dialysis patients receive an influenza vaccination. Data for the measure is based on EQRS data.

Pneumococcal Vaccination Goals

• The Network shall achieve a 10% increase in the rate of dialysis patients that are fully vaccinated** for pneumococcal pneumonia, from the baseline. Data for the measure is based on EQRS data.

*CDC guidance will be used to define “fully vaccinated.” Fully vaccinated or “up-to-date” for COVID-19 is currently defined as having received the primary series as well as the Bivalent booster.

**CDC guidance will be used to define “fully vaccinated.” There are multiple pathways to achieve “fully vaccinated” status for the pneumococcal vaccine. All pathways to “fully vaccinated” with count toward the measure goals.

Patient Engagement Interventions

• Pair patients who’ve gotten vaccinated w those who are resisting. Make a big deal out of those who do get vaccinated.
• Have patients who’ve experienced flu/pneumonia share what that was like. Do any patients have comparisons of what it was like to be sick without being vaccinated and with? Their story could be shared in educational materials.

• Tie vaccination goals into quality of life goals in care plans.
  • Care plan goal examples:
    • X was hospitalized with pneumonia last year. She reports it is something she never wants to go through again and is interested in being up to date with her vaccination.
    • “I (Mr. X) want a kidney transplant. I got a call for one a few months ago but had the flu and lost the opportunity. I plan to get the flu shot this year to ensure I will be as healthy as I can be for the next time I’m called.”
  • Quality Assessment Performance Improvement (QAPI)
    • Include patients in QAPI to discuss vaccination measures.
      • Remember, patients do not have to be physically present to participate. They can attend virtually. They also do not have to be present for the entire meeting. It is okay to focus on just 2 or 3 measures that are important to the facility or the patient.
      • Talk about where the facility is currently with the measure and what the goal is. Share the proposed intervention(s) or brainstorm. Encourage patients to provide feedback on barriers, patient motivators and interventions.
    • Create an interactive bulletin board (how-to handout under development). Provide data that shows comparison in number of deaths/hospitalizations in previous year(s) between patients with and without vaccinations.

Network 5 Contact

Vaccination Resource Library

Helpful Links