Resources to Communicate Flu Vaccination Results

Communicating PDSA Cycle Results

Following the completion of the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, different methods can be utilized to communicate the DRIVE program results. The type of communication and content to be shared depends on the audience considered (as shown below).

• The clinical team will be eager to learn more about successes. Write up a brief summary of the quality improvement (QI) initiative and its results
  • Present a summary of the report during a lunch time meeting of the QI team and showcase successes
  • Post a summary of the effort, with photos, on a bulletin board in a common area
  • Consider making a data wall or dashboard that tracks every initiative and displays practice goals
  • Continue to prominently display regular updates of Run Charts

This kind of positive reinforcement through communication and recognition can drive greater teamwork and continued QI in the practice.

• Patients and their caregivers can be an integral part of the QI efforts
  • Surveys that gather outcomes data can help monitor the patient experience in a practice
  • Summarize results and report them to patient advisory groups, or in the office

Acknowledging Champions

A successful DRIVE program is facilitated through the dedication and passion of Champions who truly care for their patients and want them to live healthier lives. It is important to celebrate these Champions and acknowledge their resolve for health equity, which can help push the DRIVE program forward and motivate other practice staff to participate in the future.

• Recognize and celebrate individuals who especially contributed to success amongst the rest of the staff (eg, by awarding a plaque of recognition). These individuals should be designated as the Champions for future QI projects
• Encourage professional staff to publish their DRIVE results by submitting abstracts to local, regional, or national professional organizations and meetings
• Share successful PDSA plans with the Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity (SHC) or become a DRIVE coach for other clinicians nationwide by contacting us at: [email protected]

Engaging Internal Audiences

Consistently communicating specific milestones of the DRIVE program to internal audiences at select times throughout the process can help build support.

Build Awareness

• Reach out to internal stakeholders prior to the program launch – ideally, 1-2 weeks in advance or up to a month from launch
• Communicate the need for the program, the overarching strategy to improve flu vaccination, and the “who, what, when, where, and why” of the program implementation
• Leverage an internal communication tool and messenger platform best suited for the stakeholder group (eg, personal emails to leadership, updates to nurse managers, talking points for program implementers to share with staff)

Report Progress

• Plan to communicate to internal stakeholders at program kick-off as a reminder of its goals and share expectations for stakeholder feedback on internal activities. As the initiative rolls out, involve and check-in with specific stakeholders involved in the DRIVE program to share information about progress and effective strategies

Acknowledge Successes

• Close the loop with all internal stakeholders who received communications about the program launch and share data and results
• Among the DRIVE program team, recap effective strategies and ideas for future programs
• Recognize the work of the implementation team through internal communication tools (eg, email newsletter, messenger platform)

Engaging External Audiences

External audiences, including community groups and the media, are trusted sources of information for patients. They play a critical role in helping to prime the patient population about the serious risk of flu and build confidence in the need for an annual flu vaccine.

By sharing information through these trusted sources, patients will be more receptive to getting a flu vaccine when their health care provider makes a recommendation. This is especially relevant in underserved communities, where there can be a lack of trust in health care professionals.

The DRIVE program encourages partnership with already-trusted community groups, such as churches and other community influencers, as a conduit to deliver important health messages to their stakeholders.

→ External audience engagement can happen from the original planning stages and follow throughout the implementation of the DRIVE program.

Connecting with Community Partners

The DRIVE team is responsible for helping to identify community influencers and determining the best way to partner. From a communications standpoint, these groups and individuals can be a powerful resource and advocate for sharing health messages and materials and motivating community members to receive the flu vaccine. They also can help the practice team understand important issues for the community.

Community organizations can partner in the DRIVE program through various communication activities:

• Having a speaker promote vaccination at community events or services
• Communicating to community groups via email or newsletter
• Posting a physical flyer on-site
• Sharing information via social media

In addition, community organizations can collaborate through tactical initiatives to support the DRIVE program (eg, providing transportation to vaccination sites, hosting a vaccination clinic).

There are many tools and resources available to help educate the public about the importance of flu vaccination.

The next section contains links to program resources, including the CDC digital toolkit and a variety of resources that can help the community.

Communicating with the Community

Community leaders and organizations can help shape a DRIVE program tremendously, as partnerships are key. Moreover, community organizations can help develop and distribute patient education materials, refer patients to educational services, and provide such services as needed. As a trusted entity by their community, they can also help enhance acceptance of flu vaccination. In fact, a QI project could focus on engaging a community to help improve a specific health outcome.

Educating members of the public can be critical in promoting population health:

• Trusted community leaders can help promote positive health viewpoints and combat widespread myths, concerns, or misinformation
• Clinicians can directly promote health messages within the community (eg, at health fairs, in presentations at churches, community organizations, or in the media). Additionally, clinicians can continue to work with community leaders, training them to promote population health