Improving Pneumococcal Immunization Rates Through Medicare Annual Wellness Visits: Pre-visit Planning

Improving Pneumococcal Immunization Rates Through Medicare Annual Wellness Visits: Pre-visit Planning is organized by New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians (NJAFP). 

Course opens: 04/16/2019
Course expires: 03/28/2020

Target Audience:
Family physicians

Available credit:
• 1.00 AAFP Prescribed

Overview:
Despite the overwhelming evidence that immunization reduces the risk of contracting pneumococcal disease, a 2016 report showed that New Jersey immunized 66.5% of eligible adults over 65 years of age. According to Healthy New Jersey 2020, the State is not making adequate progress toward the goal of immunizing a minimum of 72.2% of eligible adult patients.

At the conclusion of the program, practices will be able to:
• Follow evidence-based guidelines for pneumococcal vaccination in older adults;
• Utilize Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) to identify older adult patients with gaps in care eligible for pneumococcal vaccination;
• Use standing orders and EHR data to ensure patients are vaccinated against pneumococcal disease; and
• Leverage patient education and employ shared decision-making techniques to improve immunization rates among adult patients experiencing vaccine hesitancy.

Learning Objectives:
• Discuss evidence-based guidelines for pneumococcal vaccinations for older adults
• Create individualized treatment plans to ensure vaccination
• Apply at least one new strategy to improve vaccinations, such as standing orders

Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.