Improving Vaccine Equity: How Community Engagement and Informatics Facilitate Health System Outreach to Underrepresented Groups.

Background: Given the inequities in access to health care resources like COVID-19 vaccination, health systems should carefully consider how to reach underrepresented groups. Reflecting on vaccine rollout efforts holds insight on the role of community engagement and informatics support in promoting health equity.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of four outreach strategies deployed by University of Washington (UW) Medicine in improving vaccine equity over traditional vaccine scheduling online or by phone, we report on appointment scheduling and completion of appointments (i.

Reducing central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates with cognitive science-based training.

There have been many tactics throughout the years aimed at reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in the healthcare setting. To reduce CLABSI rates at this facility, we employed cognitive science-based online training directed at nursing departments. Following implementation, we found significant reductions in CLABSI rates that were sustained for a minimum of 9 months.

Are temporal artery temperatures accurate enough to replace rectal temperature measurement in pediatric ED patients?

Objective: This study examined the accuracy of temporal artery and axillary temperatures compared with rectal temperatures in pediatric ED patients younger than 4 years.

Methods: A method-comparison study design was used to examine the agreement between a temporal artery or axillary thermometer and a nondisposable, rectal electronic thermometer, which is the clinical reference standard for temperature measurement in children. Temperatures were taken with each device in a convenience sample of stable, pediatric ED patients who were younger than 4 years.