Patient reminder and recall systems to improve immunization rates

Patient reminder and recall systems are effective in improving immunization rates in primary care settings within developed countries.

A Cochrane review included 75 trials. Different reminders or recalls increase immunization rates compared with no reminder (290 vs 371 per 1000; RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.35; 55 trials, n=138 625) (table ), Reminders were effective in different childhood, adolescent, and adult vaccinations.

Another Cochrane review assessed the effects of automated telephone communication systems (ATCS) for preventive healthcare. ATCS with interactive voice response (IVR) systems and ATCS with additional functions such as access to an expert to request advice (ATCS Plus) increased immunisation uptake in children (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.32; 5 studies, n=10 454) and to a lesser extent in adolescents (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.11; 2 studies, n=5 725).

The following decision support rules contain links to this evidence summary:

• Reminder of tetanus vaccination

Ədəbiyyat

1. Jacobson Vann JC, Jacobson RM, Coyne-Beasley T et al. Patient reminder and recall interventions to improve immunization rates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018;(1):CD003941.
2. Posadzki P, Mastellos N, Ryan R et al. Automated telephone communication systems for preventive healthcare and management of long-term conditions. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016;(12):CD009921.