Immunizations: Where APH Stands
Austin Public Health's Mission
The mission of Austin Public Health is to prevent disease, promote health, and protect the well-being of our community in order to see our vision of becoming the healthiest city in the nation. In order to tackle this mission, Austin Public Health serves the residents of Austin and Travis County by issuing immunizations.
Immunization Schedule and DSRIP
The Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program issued through the Medicaid 1115 Waiver allows for services to those who are low income and uninsured (MLIU). These services include immunizations. DSRIP requirements set standards as to timeline and specifications based on age to stay in accordance with reporting standards. Those who are compliant will have had their immunization within these specifications. Those who are non-compliant are past due for their immunization(s) or outside of the specifications.
The DSRIP specifications as are listed:
- One tetanus and diptheria toxoids (Td) vaccine in the last 10 years for ages 18+ are compliant.
- Varicella - two doses or evidence of immunity for ages 18+ are compliant.
- Pneumococcal polysaccharise vaccine (PPSV23 or PC13) for patients 65 and older at the beginning of the measurement period are compliant.
- One influenza dose within the last year for ages 18+ are compliant.
- One dose Herpes zoster/Singles (patients 60 years and older at the beginning of the measurement period) are compliant.
Compliant vs. Non-Compliant
A pivotal part of keeping our community healthy is ensuring that individuals are up-to-date with their immunization schedule. APH maintains information in its EHR (Electronic Health Record). This allows APH to advise clients on if they are up-to-date and/or when they are due for immunizations. Those who on target with their immunizations are adhered to as "compliant." Those who are late with immunizations or have no record of the immunization(s) needed are non-compliant.
***According to data collected between January 1st, 2018 and December 31st, 2018 only 8% of those seen by Austin Public Health were compliant with their immunization schedule.
Immunization and Non-Compliance
Visualizing which immunizations are contain the most non-compliant clients is pivotal to seeing where there are gaps and room for improvement and outreach. As seen by the data to the right, most clients are non-compliant with their Varicella-Td immunizations, followed by solely the Varicella, and then Influenza-Varicella.
***Consult Report Requirements consists of the 638 patients who are compliant with all immunizations needed.
Going Forward
APH's vision to Prevent, Protect, and Promote to make Austin the healthiest city in the nation is an achievable task that includes immunizations. The visualization in this data shows that there is room for improvement. Working together with the community, APH can achieve a level of compliancy that will foster its mission.
