Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine Reminder Systems

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Asthma; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Interventions: Behavioral: Postcard Only Reminder Group; Behavioral: IVR Only Reminder Group; Behavioral: Postcard and IVR Reminder Group

• Registration Number: NCT01852656
• Lead Sponsor: Kaiser Permanente

Brief Summary

Influenza disease causes significant morbidity and mortality in the Unites States each year. Although influenza can cause morbidity in otherwise healthy individuals, adults with chronic lung disease have significantly increased rates of hospitalization from influenza-related illnesses compared to healthy adults. Influenza vaccination is the primary means of preventing influenza disease. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all individuals 6 months of age and older in the United States. Influenza vaccination rates are sub-optimal, however. Patient reminder/recall has been shown, in multiple studies across a variety of age groups and health conditions, to increase immunization rates. However, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different types of reminder/recall has not been well-studied, particularly in adults. In the fall of 2012, the Population and Prevention Services (PPS) Department at Kaiser Permanente Colorado (KPCO) is using 3 different reminder strategies for influenza vaccination among adults with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective of this study is to provide a rigorous evaluation of which strategy is more effective and more cost-effective, to promote influenza vaccination.

Detailed Description

At KPCO, postcards are typically sent to members each fall, to remind members to receive their annual influenza vaccine. At KPCO, interactive voice response (IVR) systems have been utilized for a number of prevention reminders, but have not in the past been used for influenza vaccination reminders. For the 2012-2013 influenza season, the PPS department is going to send three different types of reminders to their adult patients with certain chronic lung diseases (specifically, adults with asthma and COPD): postcards only; IVR reminders only; postcards plus IVR reminders. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, of an already-finalized operational plan for influenza reminders.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2012-09
• Study First Submitted: 2012-10-08
• Primary Completion: 2013-04
• Study Completion: 2013-04
• Status Verified: 2013-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-05-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-05-09
• Study First Posted: 2013-05-14
• Last Update Posted: 2013-05-14

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 12255

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 19 to 64 years
• Enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Colorado health plan
• Diagnosis of asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Exclusion Criteria

• Subjects living in households with other individuals in high-risk categories for influenza morbidity

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Postcard Only Reminder Group	Postcard Only Reminder Group	In the postcard reminder intervention, the member will receive a single postcard, addressed to the member with asthma or COPD.
IVR Only Reminder Group	IVR Only Reminder Group	In the IVR reminder intervention, targeted members will be contacted by the interactive voice response system
Postcard and IVR Reminder Group	Postcard and IVR Reminder Group	In this group, individuals will receive both a postcard reminder and an IVR reminder.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Receipt of influenza vaccine	up to 7 months	The 2012-2013 influenza season, defined as October to April.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Total unit cost per outreach method	up to 10 months	The time in months to develop, plan, and implement the intervention arms, as a function of cost.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Kaiser Permanente Colorado; 🇺🇸 Denver, Colorado, United States