Use of an Electronic Medical Record in the Primary Care Setting to Improve Herpes Zoster Vaccination Rates

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Despite the significant benefits of herpes zoster vaccine (HZV), vaccination rates remain low. Electronic medical records (EMR) can serve as a practical strategy to better facilitate the application of preventative health care, such as increasing immunization rates. A new care model that can increase the herpes zoster vaccination rate, as well as other preventative health services, is warranted. The objective of this study is to investigate if the functions of an EMR, in combination with a pharmacist as part of the care team, can improve the herpes zoster vaccination rate.

Official Title
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Use of an Electronic Medical Record to Improve Standard Practice in the Primary Care Setting: A Randomized-Controlled Study of Herpes Zoster Vaccination Rates

Conditions
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Herpes Zoster Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: An informational packet regarding shingles and the HZV was sent to patients identified by the EMR


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Greater than 60 years of age Exclusion Criteria: Documented herpes zoster vaccine in the EMR

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: An informational packet regarding shingles and the HZV<br> | Other: An informational packet regarding shingles and the HZV was sent to patients identified by the EMR<br>* The EMR generated a list of patients aged 60 or older without HZV documentation. Patients were categorized into two subgroups based on activated electronic patient portal (EPP) status. Randomized patients from each subgroup received an informational packet regarding shingles and the HZV by either the EMR or USPS mail, depending on EPP status. A pharmacist reviewed the medical chart of interested patients to assess if the HZV was clinically indicated; eligible patients were mailed a HZV prescription.<br>|
| No Intervention: Standard medical care from their primary care physician<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Participants Who Received the Herpes Zoster Vaccine | Six months after the intervention, a second EMR report was generated to determine the change in vaccination rate of both the intervention and control groups. | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Difference in Vaccination Rates Between Patients Who Recieved a Mailed Letter Versus a Secure Email | Difference in vaccination rates between patients sent communications via US postal service (USPS) and those sent communications via electronic patient portal (EPP) | 6 months | 
| Amount of Time Required by a Clinical Pharmacist to Manage This Workflow |  | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Herpes Zoster vaccine, Electronic patient portal, Electronic medical record, Primary care, Immunizations