December 16, 2010—Standing Orders for Vaccinations
To help MGH achieve the target of 95% patient vaccination rate, standing orders for vaccinations to prevent pneumococcal infections and seasonal influenza are placed automatically on eligible patients. Each patient will be assessed for eligibility automatically, on addition to the inpatient census. Eligibility for is based on the age of the patient, the patient's vaccination history, and the season as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When a patient is eligible for one or both vaccines, the order is placed automatically as soon as any existing pre-admission orders have been activated.
Key features:
Automatic evaluation of the vaccination status for pneumococcus of all patients over the age of 65
Automatic evaluation of the vaccination status for influenza of all patients in the CDC-defined age group, during flu season for that year (usually early fall through late spring)
The patient's records are checked for previous vaccinations
The automatic order is NOT placed if the patient has a recorded allergy to the vaccination
Orders are not placed for patients in surgery (PACU or SDSU)
Orders are not placed for patients in the ED observation area
A banner on the Orders for This Session list (main scratchpad) indicates when a vaccination order has been placed on the patient, and is visible until 12 hours after the order is RN reviewed
The order(s) are signed “Standing order approved by MGH Medical Policy Committee”
Instructions:
Recording the Administration of the Vaccine: Nurses document the administration of vaccinations in the eMAR. For procedures and additional information, see:
See also: