Improving adult immunization practices using a team approach in the primary care setting.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to improve the immunization rates of primary care practices using a team approach.

Methods: Practices performed 35 random chart abstractions at 2 time points and completed a survey about immunizations at baseline and 12 months after intervention. Data were collected for the following immunizations: influenza, pneumococcal, tetanus diphtheria (Td)/tetanus diphtheria pertussis (Tdap), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal, varicella, herpes zoster, and human papilloma virus.

Using online learning collaboratives to facilitate practice improvement for COPD: an ACPNet pilot study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to (1) understand the attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs of internists who manage patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and (2) evaluate the impact of a multifaceted approach to quality improvement (QI) work involving the management of COPD patients. This pilot study used a pre-post intervention design. The intervention included an online educational toolkit, QI coaching calls led by faculty, and the use of individual physician feedback reports to act as motivators for change.

Pain management and the primary care encounter: opportunities for quality improvement.

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to create a comprehensive pain management educational toolkit for the primary care physician that offers guidance on current standards of care and quality improvement techniques to help curb educational and quality gaps in managing patients with pain.

Scope: Pain often goes undetected in the primary care encounter, and when acknowledged, is often undertreated.

Methods: This pilot study utilized a pre-/postintervention design.

Practice redesign to improve care for falls and urinary incontinence: primary care intervention for older patients.

Background: In primary care, medical care for age-associated conditions, such as falls and urinary incontinence (UI), is inadequate. In collaboration with the American College of Physicians, we augmented the Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders practice redesign intervention to improve falls and UI care.

Methods: We performed a controlled trial in 5 nonrandomly selected primary care intervention (26 physicians across sites) and control (18 physicians) practices from diverse communities.

Closing the gap-cardiovascular risk and primary prevention: results from the American College of Physicians quality improvement program.

The objective was to study the impact of a practice-based quality improvement program on practice teams' care for patients who have increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A total of 54 team members from 18 internal medicine practices participated in an educational program that used a pre-post intervention study design and focused on measures related to cardiovascular risk factors. The program involved live instruction, faculty-led conference calls, practice data collection, and progress reports detailing practices' improvement strategies.