Immunization status of patients in a residency-based family practice.

Immunization studies in the United States have revealed that about 35 percent of children are not adequately immunized. This family practice residency desired to evaluate its immunization patterns, particularly since it was involved in the education of physicians. All of the charts of those patients from birth to 14 years of age were reviewed from July 1, 1974, when the residency accepted its first residents until April 1, 1977, when this evaluation was completed. The results revealed two patterns. First, the older the patient the less likely that his/her immunizations were up to date. Secondly, the older the patient the more likely that there were no immunization records. The evaluation resulted in the initiation of many improvements in patient and staff education which, it is hoped, will enable the desired goal of having the immunization up-to-date percentages raised to 95 percent within two years.