Vermont Business MagazineOn April 26, 2017, Gifford Health Care Pediatrics was recognized by the Vermont Immunization Program for achieving high immunization coverage rates and meeting CDC’s Healthy People 2020 goals for all recommended vaccines for children two to three years of age. Jan Eberly, Public Health Nurse for the State of Vermont, presented thePediatrics team with a framed certificate and a copyofEpidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
Gifford was one of nine practices in the state to receive recognition for exceeding the Healthy People 2020 target of 90 percent immunizations coverage for two to three year olds. Appropriately, the recognition came on National Infant Immunization week,an annual national observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and improve the health of children two years old or younger.
“To find a practice where everyone participates—from the providers down through the staff—is really remarkable!” Eberly said. “Congratulations to all of you!”
Led by Pediatrics Nurse Manager and Registered Nurse Danielle Davis, the team developed and incorporated new systems into their workflow to track and make sure that every child is up-to-date on immunizations. Starting with the chart preparation that occurs before every patient visit, they check to see if immunizations, well child visits, and asthma care action plans are all current. If not, the chart is flagged so providers can give any needed immunizations during the visit, and follow-up appointments can be scheduled automatically.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention notes that vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective tools available for preventing disease and death. They help protect vaccinated individuals and also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Among children born during 1994-2016, vaccination will prevent an estimated 381 million illnesses, 24.5 million hospitalizations, and 855,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.
Caption: Joseph Pelletier MD, Jan Eberly RN, Christina DiNicola MD, Dani Sweet RN, Laudell Slack LPN, Ellen Bando PA-C, Danielle Davis RN, Amanda Belanger (Not pictured Desiree Bourassa RN, Courtney Riley MD, and Kathy Alves)
Gifford is a community hospital in Randolph, Vt., with family health centers in Berlin, Bethel, Chelsea, Rochester, and White River Junction; and specialty services throughout central Vermont. A Federally Qualified Health Center and a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the country, Gifford is a full-service hospital with a 24-hour emergency department; inpatient and rehabilitation units; many surgical services; accredited cancer program; a day care; two adult day programs; and the 30-bed Menig Nursing Home, which was named byU.S. News and World Reportas one of the best 39 nursing homes in the country in 2012. The Birthing Center, established in 1977, was the first in Vermont to offer an alternative to the traditional hospital-based deliveries, and continues to be a leader in midwifery and family-centered care. The cancer program is accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.Thehospital’s mission is to improve individuals’ and community health by providing and assuring access to affordable, high-quality health care in Gifford’s service area.
Source:RANDOLPH – Gifford. 4.28.2017