Measurement and improvement as a model to strengthen immunization information systems and overcome data gaps.

Background: IIS are important tools in the public health system and exist to improve and protect the nation's health from vaccine-preventable diseases. A network of 62 independent state, territorial, and jurisdictional immunization information systems (IIS) are operated within the United States. These systems are relied upon to implement an increasingly complex vaccination schedule, consolidate and create comprehensive immunization records, as well as monitor vaccine safety, efficacy, and support vaccine delivery.

The potential for centralized reminder/recall to increase immunization rates: A national survey of immunization information systems (IIS) managers.

Little is known about Immunization Information System (IIS) attitudes and experiences using Centralized IIS-based Reminder/Recall (CI-R/R), an effective approach to increasing immunization rates. To describe among IIS managers as it relates to CI-R/R: 1) past experiences and future plans conducting it; 2) attitudes and barriers, 3) IIS capabilities and polices that influence, and 4) factors that differentiate IIS who have and have not conducted CI-R/R. Electronic Surveys were sent to all IIS managers in July 2018 using a member listserve.

Keen on teen vaccines: improvement of adolescent vaccine coverage in rural North Carolina.

Purpose: To improve adolescent immunization coverage in a rural North Carolina county.

Methods: Adolescent immunization coverage rates in an intervention and four comparison counties were compared over 1 year. We introduced practice-based interventions in seven practices centering on immunization registry-driven recall of adolescents for immunizations with postcard reminders (Phase 1), and 6 months later employed nontargeted school-generated telephone reminders to parents of adolescents (Phase 2).

Increasing provision of adolescent vaccines in primary care: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of in-person and webinar-delivered AFIX (Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and eXchange) consultations for increasing adolescent vaccine coverage.

Methods: We randomly assigned 91 primary care clinics in North Carolina, serving 107 443 adolescents, to receive no consultation or an in-person or webinar AFIX consultation. We delivered in-person consultations in April through May 2011 and webinar consultations in May through August 2011.

Improving quality of health care using the North Carolina Immunization Registry.

The North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR) is a secure, Web-based clinical tool that serves as an official record of immunization status. This commentary provides an overview of the NCIR and describes how providers, communities, and public health agencies use its data to improve quality of care.

Comparing in-person and webinar delivery of an immunization quality improvement program: a process evaluation of the adolescent AFIX trial.

Background: Immunization quality improvement programs are often limited by the cost and inconvenience associated with delivering face-to-face consultations to primary care providers. To investigate a more efficient mode of intervention delivery, we conducted a process evaluation that compared in-person consultations to those delivered via interactive webinar.

Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and eXchange (AFIX) Program is an immunization quality improvement program implemented in all 50 states.

Organizational correlates of adolescent immunization: findings of a state-wide study of primary care clinics in North Carolina.

Objective: To analyze organizational correlates of immunization coverage among adolescents served by high-volume primary care providers in North Carolina.

Methods: We randomly selected 91 clinics with at least 200 active records for patients ages 11-18 in the North Carolina Immunization Registry. For the 105,121 adolescents served by these clinics, we obtained immunization status for 6 vaccines, including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (females only); meningococcal conjugate; and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster (Tdap).

Experimental validation of phase using Nomarski microscopy with an extended Fried algorithm.

Reconstruction of an image (or shape or wavefront) from measurements of the derivatives of the image in two orthogonal directions is a common problem. We demonstrate how a particular reconstructor, commonly referred to as the Fried algorithm, can be used with megapixel derivative images to recover the original image. Large datasets are handled by breaking the derivative images into smaller tiles, applying the Fried algorithm and stitching the tiles back together.

Increasing adolescent immunization by webinar: a brief provider intervention at federally qualified health centers.

Objective: To evaluate a brief intervention to increase provision of adolescent vaccines at health centers that reach the medically underserved.

Method: In April 2010, clinical coordinators from 17 federally qualified health centers (serving 7827 patients ages 12-17) participated in a competition to increase uptake of recommended adolescent vaccines: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster; meningococcal conjugate; and human papillomavirus. Vaccination coordinators attended a webinar that reviewed provider-based changes recommended by the CDC's Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and eXchanges (AFIX) program and received weekly follow-up emails.

Preparation of dissolvable albumin stents for vascular anastomosis with a 1.9 µm laser and in vitro mechanical strength assessments.

Introduction: We present a clinically relevant method for producing and sterilizing dissolvable albumin stents to provide intraluminal support during vascular anastomosis, and a method for photothermally soldering vessels using a 1.9 µm diode laser with a 200-µm spot size, albumin solder, and water as the chromophore. Our aim in this study was to assess the mechanical integrity of soldered vessels, and to determine if gamma-irradiation affected the solubility of the stents.

Light-guided lumpectomy: first clinical experience.

Despite numerous advances, lumpectomy remains a challenging procedure. We report on the early use of light-guided lumpectomy. Eight patients with non-palpable breast cancer undergoing lumpectomy for biopsy-proven and radiographically identifiable cancer were enrolled in the study.

Quantitative Carré differential interference contrast microscopy to assess phase and amplitude.

We present a method of using an unmodified differential interference contrast microscope to acquire quantitative information on scatter and absorption of thin tissue samples. A simple calibration process is discussed that uses a standard optical wedge. Subsequently, we present a phase-stepping procedure for acquiring phase gradient information exclusive of absorption effects.

Light-guided lumpectomy: device and case report.

We describe the development, design, fabrication, and testing of an optical wire to assist in the surgical removal of small lesions during breast-conserving surgery. We modify a standard localization wire by adding a 200-μm optical fiber alongside it; the resulting optical wire fit through an 18 gauge needle for insertion in the breast. The optical wire is anchored in the lesion by a radiologist under ultrasonic and mammographic guidance.