RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Every year in the United States, influenza-related infection causes thousands of deaths, the complications of which require millions of dollars in hospital-related care. The influenza vaccine is proven to effectively reduce incidence of infection and complications from influenza viruses. LOCAL PROBLEM: A clinic in southeast Florida for the uninsured offered influenza immunization at no cost to its patients, yet the immunization rate was still low. METHODS: A quality improvement project was conducted to determine whether the use of evidenced-based bundled interventions would increase the rate of the influenza vaccination at the clinic. INTERVENTIONS: The bundled interventions included mass communication, leadership, improved work flow, and improved access. RESULTS: Evidence-based interventions led to a 597% increase in the influenza uptake rate. Trends were analyzed by using data gathered from the electronic medical record regarding patient demographics, influenza immunization uptake rate, type of visit for the immunizations, and reason for declining. Overcoming the access barrier led to great improvements in this clinic. Initially more vaccines were given in nurse visits; as the season progressed, more vaccines were given by providers in the clinic. Common reasons for patient refusal of the vaccine were fear of side effects and fear of contracting the influenza virus. Streamlined documentation could promote continued staff compliance over time. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce influenza-related costs and improve health outcomes, it is imperative that nurse practitioners use evidence-based interventions in the practice setting to increase influenza uptake rates in the adult uninsured population.
Assuntos
Vacinas contra Influenza/uso terapêutico , Influenza Humana/tratamento farmacológico , Cobertura Vacinal/normas , Instituições de Assistência Ambulatorial/organização & administração , Instituições de Assistência Ambulatorial/normas , Instituições de Assistência Ambulatorial/estatística & dados numéricos , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Florida , Humanos , Vacinas contra Influenza/economia , Vacinas contra Influenza/farmacologia , Influenza Humana/economia , Influenza Humana/prevenção & controle , Melhoria de Qualidade , Estados Unidos , Cobertura Vacinal/economia , Cobertura Vacinal/estatística & dados numéricosAssuntos
Administração de Caso/organização & administração , Comunicação , Segurança Computacional/legislação & jurisprudência , Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act , Prontuários Médicos/legislação & jurisprudência , Envio de Mensagens de Texto , Indenização aos Trabalhadores/organização & administração , Adulto , Segurança Computacional/normas , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Prontuários Médicos/normas , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Melhoria de Qualidade , Estados UnidosRESUMO
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease marked by mucosal inflammation. UC has an impact on quality of life and places a financial burden on the healthcare system. This article focuses on the impact, presentation, diagnosis and classification, systemic manifestations, complications, management, and treatment associated with UC.