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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Childhood Vaccination with MMR, Flu, and HPV.

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Strategy. Data Monitoring and Analysis

Approach. Use data monitoring and analysis systems to predict and administer vaccinations when children are in the hospital.

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Overview. Leveraging data monitoring and analysis systems in hospital settings involves utilizing electronic health records. (EHRs) to identify children due for vaccinations and streamline the immunization process.[1] This data-driven approach offers a powerful tool to increase childhood vaccination rates by capturing opportunities to vaccinate children during hospital visits, closing potential immunization gaps.[1] A successful public health approach requires a multi-pronged strategy.[1] First, it involves ensuring hospitals have robust EHR systems that can effectively capture and analyze patient immunization records.[1] Second, it necessitates developing protocols for healthcare providers to utilize this data to proactively identify undervaccinated children and assess their eligibility for vaccination during their hospital stay. Finally, clear communication channels with parents or guardians are crucial to obtain informed consent and ensure smooth administration of vaccinations.[2] Peer-reviewed research supports the effectiveness of this approach. Studies have shown that data-driven hospital vaccination programs can significantly improve childhood immunization rates, particularly for children.[1]

Evidence. Scientifically Rigorous Evidence. Strategies with this rating are most likely to be effective...

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.

Potential Data Sources. Data to support this strategy can be accessed through:

  • PCP/Family practice interviews on impact of community-driven strategies
  • Qualitative interviewing with hospital/clinical staff on integration of vaccine reporting systems
  • PCP/Family practice-to-hospital EHR/communication logs

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

  • Access to/Receipt of Care. This strategy increases the ability for individuals to obtain healthcare services when needed, including preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services.
  • Timeliness of Care. This strategy promotes delivery of healthcare services in a timely manner to optimize benefits and prevent complications.
  • Utilization. This strategy improves the extent to which individuals and communities use available healthcare services.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Direct Care (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Community-Focused

Examples from the Field. There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. Search similar intervention components in the ESM database.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework (see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).

Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort (“What/how much did we do?”)

  • Number of hospitals and health systems partnered with Title V that implement data monitoring and analysis systems to identify and vaccinate eligible children. (Measures adoption of data-driven strategies tailoring vaccination-eligible children)
  • Number of hospital staff trained by Title V to use data systems and workflows for assessing and administering vaccinations to hospitalized children. (Measures workforce capacity and readiness)

Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort (“How well did we do it?”)

  • Percent of eligible hospitalized children who are successfully identified and flagged for vaccination through data monitoring systems. (Measures effectiveness of tailoring and case finding through data monitoring systems on childhood vaccination rates)
  • Percent of data-triggered vaccine recommendations that are accepted and acted upon by clinicians and families. (Measures acceptance and follow-through of data-driven prompts for childhood vaccination)

Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect (“Is anyone better off?”)

  • Number of hospitals that integrate their EHR systems with state and regional immunization registries supported by Title V to enable seamless data exchange and tracking. (Measures data interoperability and care coordination of hospital based vaccination programming)
  • Number of hospital-community partnerships led by Title V formed to ensure post-discharge follow-up and completion of vaccine series initiated during hospitalization. (Measures care continuity and transition of vaccination care between hospital and external settings)
  • Number of best practices and case studies disseminated to spread the adoption of data-driven vaccination strategies across hospital systems. (Measures knowledge translation and dissemination of lessons learned from hospital vaccination programs)
  • Number of policies and payment models that incentivize and support the integration of vaccination into routine pediatric hospital care. (Measures sustainability and alignment of hospital -based vaccination programs with value-based care)

Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect (“How are they better off?”)

  • Percent of hospitals that integrate their EHR systems with state and regional immunization registries supported by Title V to enable seamless data exchange and tracking. (Measures data interoperability and care coordination of hospital based vaccination programming)
  • Percent of hospital-community partnerships led by Title V formed to ensure post-discharge follow-up and completion of vaccine series initiated during hospitalization. (Measures care continuity and transition of vaccination care between hospital and external settings)
  • Percent of best practices and case studies disseminated to spread the adoption of data-driven vaccination strategies across hospital systems. (Measures knowledge translation and dissemination of lessons learned from hospital vaccination programs)
  • Percent of policies and payment models that incentivize and support the integration of vaccination into routine pediatric hospital care. (Measures sustainability and alignment of hospital -based vaccination programs with value-based care)

Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:

  1. Move from measuring quantity to quality.
  2. Move from measuring effort to effect.
  3. Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
  4. The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.

Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.

References

[1] “How to Use Digital Health Data to Improve Outcomes.” Harvard Business Review, 12 Sept. 2022, hbr.org/2022/09/how-to-use-digital-health-data-to-improve-outcomes.

[2] Bryan, M. A., Hofstetter, A. M., Opel, D. J., & Simon, T. D. (2022). Vaccine administration in children’s hospitals. Pediatrics, 149(2), e2021053925.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.