Public health audit of vaccine cold chain management in general practice and community pharmacy in Western Australia.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9611095 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1753-6405 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13260200 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Aust N Z J Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: 2023- : [New York] : Elsevier
      Original Publication: Canberra, ACT : Public Health Association of Australia, [1996-
    • Subject Terms:
      Drug Storage* ; Refrigeration* ; General Practice* ; Vaccines* ; Pharmacies* ; Public Health*; Humans ; Western Australia ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Community Pharmacy Services
    • Abstract:
      Objective: To support immunisation providers through a cold chain management audit.
      Methods: An electronic audit survey using the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines as a gold standard was developed for general practice (GP) and community pharmacy. It included automated feedback, with individualised support from a clinical nurse specialist as required. Responses were analysed to determine the proportion of providers meeting criteria in four categories: procedures, refrigerators and equipment, temperature monitoring and emergency storage.
      Results: Of 818 providers invited, 420 GPs (89.6%) and 276 pharmacies (82%) responded. Over 70% met all procedural and emergency storage criteria. Although most providers (98.1% GPs, 97.0% pharmacies) used a data logger, the proportion measuring at 5-minute intervals, reviewing data logger printouts weekly and manually recording minimum and maximum temperatures was lower. In total, 58% of providers required follow-up by the clinical nurse specialist, most regarding the need for equipment.
      Conclusion: An electronic audit enabled public health to engage with a large number of immunisation providers. Most reported high compliance with the national guidelines although opportunities for education were identified and actioned.
      Implications for Public Health: Electronic solutions can support public health units to engage with providers to ensure vaccines remain effective and wastage is limited.
      (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Immunisation; audit; cold chain; general practice; pharmacy
    • Accession Number:
      0 (Vaccines)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20240714 Date Completed: 20240807 Latest Revision: 20240807
    • Publication Date:
      20240808
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100168
    • Accession Number:
      39003884