Improving influenza vaccination among hospitalised patients in General Medicine and Emergency Short Stay units - a pharmacist-led approach

Aim: Patients admitted to General Medical Units (GMU) and Emergency Short Stay Units (ESSU) are often elderly with multiple comorbidities and the majority are considered to be at high risk of complications from influenza. The aim of this study was to assess the practice of including a pharmacist assessment of appropriateness and charting of influenza vaccination in a partnered pharmacist charting model in a GMU and ESSU. 

Methods: As part of a partnered pharmacist charting model, the pharmacist assessed each patient for suitability of receiving the influenza vaccination at admission. If it was deemed appropriate by the pharmacist and medical officer, the pharmacist charted the influenza vaccination for administration as an inpatient and this was documented in the discharge summary to the general practitioner. 

Results: There were 6595 patients admitted to the two units during the study period, of which 316 patients had partnered pharmacist charting. Among these, 52 patients were eligible for vaccination, of which 31 patients (59.6%) had their influenza vaccination charted by a pharmacist. Among the 6279 patients who had their medication charted by a medical officer only, there were no cases of influenza vaccination prescription (p < 0.01). Conclusion: We identified that initiation of the influenza vaccination as part of the partnered pharmacist charting model is feasible and effective in increasing the rates of vaccination among ESSU and GMU patients.