IMPROVING HPV VACCINATION RATES IN A PEDIATRIC PRACTICE: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop and implement a new evidence based practice protocol to enhance the delivery of the HPV vaccination series to adolescent’s age 11-12 years of age. This project took place in a pediatric practice setting in eastern NC over a 14 week period. The Health Belief Model provided the framework to guide this project. Education sessions on the practice protocol and strategies for reducing barriers to vaccination were held for providers and staff prior to implementation. Adherence to the new practice protocol and HPV vaccination rates were evaluated on a weekly basis through chart audits. Descriptive statistics were used in analyzing the pre and post data on the HPV vaccination rates. The ultimate outcome was to assess whether or not the interventions were positively associated with improved HPV vaccination rates. With a 95.7% adherence rate in use of the practice protocol and EMR template, the HPV vaccination rates at the practice improved from 65% to 89.9%.