Health department clinics as pediatric immunization providers

摘要: Objectives: To describe a national sample of health department immunization clinics in terms populations served, patient volume trends, services offered, and practices. Methods: Telephone survey conducted with departments sampled from database, using probability proportional to population size. Results: All (100%) 166 eligible completed the survey. The majority pediatric patients were uninsured (42%) or enrolled Medicaid (34%). Most children (69%) adolescents (70%) referred department, only 12% these as medical home. A number (72%) reported recent increases served. Less than 25% offered comprehensive care, 47% semiannual coverage assessments, 76% 38% operated recall systems for adolescents. Storage records an electronic database was common (83%). Conclusions: Although do not provide they continue serve vulnerable children, including adolescents, enrollees, uninsured, may represent main contact healthcare system such patients. Because assuring is essential their our nation whole, this safety net must be preserved. Experience implementing key recommendations assessment feedback well reminder enable staff assist private provider colleagues. Further research needed investigate how populations, practices vary by different clinic characteristics.