Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 5, 2014, Pages 839-845

Assessing Adherence to Accepted National Guidelines for Immigrant and Refugee Screening and Vaccines in an Urban Primary Care Practice: A Retrospective Chart Review (Article)

Waldorf B.* , Gill C. , Crosby S.S.
  • a Department of International Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Crosstown 3, Boston, MA 02118, United States
  • b Department of International Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Crosstown 3, Boston, MA 02118, United States
  • c Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States, Department of Health Law, Bioethics and Human Rights, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

In the United States, 38.5 million people are foreign-born, one in three arriving since 2000. Health issues include high rates of hepatitis B, humanimmunodeficiency virus infection, parasitic infections, and M. tuberculosis. We sought to determine rates of provider adherence to accepted national guidelines for immigrant and refugee health screening and vaccines done at the primary care clinics at Boston Medical Center. Randomized, retrospective chart review of foreign born patients in the primary care clinics. We found low screening and immunization rates that do not conform to CDC/ACIP guidelines. Only 43 % of immigrant patients had tuberculosis screening, 36 % were screened for HIV and hepatitis B, and 33 % received tetanus vaccinations. Organizational changes incorporating multi-disciplinary approaches such as creative use of nursing staff, protocols, standing orders, EMR reminders, and web based educational tools can contribute to better outcomes by identifying patients and improving utilization of guidelines. © 2013, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Screening Practice guidelines Immigrant and refugee health Provider adherence

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84875029834&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-013-9808-6&partnerID=40&md5=3ebd3d022dcf2b0c04b95d2a89da5e3d
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9808-6
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English