Quality Improvement Project to Increase Human Papillomavirus Two-Dose Vaccine Series Completion by 13 Years in Pediatric Primary Care Clinics

ABS T R A C T Purpose: The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes genitourinary and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV vaccine is safe and effective in preventing those diseases; however, vaccine series completion rates remain low in the United States. Our quality improvement (QI) project aimed to increase HPV-vaccination series completion rates to 70% from 2017 to 2020 for the 13-year patient popu-lation in an extensive academic pediatric primary care network that serves predominantly nority and Medicaid-insured children in Columbus, OH. Methods: The outcome measure was the percentage of 13-years Nationwide Children's Hospital Primary Care Network patients who completed the two-dose vaccine series by their birthday. Four QI implemented interventions were utilized. Electronic medical records informed providers when the HPV vaccines are due. We studied monthly data for the network and for individual clinics using statistical process control, displaying data on a control chart. followed two process measures, captured opportunity rate, and the number of HPV vaccines given. Results: We substantially increased HPV-vaccination series completion rates overall in the 13-year teen population from 27% to 65%, and three clinics reached the 70% goal for at least one quarter. Latino children had the highest completion rate of 80% and White children had the lowest completion rate at 64%. Discussion: Our QI project used four measures to improve HPV-vaccination series completion in the 13-year patient population that serves minority and low-income teens predominantly. Further QI studies are needed to improve HPV vaccine completion rates in teens. (c) 2023 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to increase HPV vaccination completion rates in a pediatric primary care network serving minority and Medicaid-insured children in the United States. By utilizing electronic medical records, statistical process control, and implementing interventions, the completion rates increased from 27% to 65% overall in the 13-year teen population, with three clinics reaching the 70% goal for at least one quarter. Further research is needed to improve HPV vaccine completion rates in teens.