Incorporating scannable forms into immunization data collection processes: a mixed-methods study
Individual-level immunization data captured electronically can facilitate evidence-based decision-making and planning. Populating individual-level records through manual data entry is time-consuming. An alternative is to use scannable forms, completed at the point of vaccination and subsequently sca...
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Published in | PloS one Vol. 7; no. 12; p. e49627 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Public Library of Science
18.12.2012
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Individual-level immunization data captured electronically can facilitate evidence-based decision-making and planning. Populating individual-level records through manual data entry is time-consuming. An alternative is to use scannable forms, completed at the point of vaccination and subsequently scanned and exported to a database or registry. To explore the suitability of this approach for collecting immunization data, we conducted a feasibility study in two settings in Ontario, Canada.
Prior to the 2011-2012 influenza vaccination campaign, we developed a scannable form template and a corresponding database that captured required demographic and clinical data elements. We examined efficiency, data quality, and usability through time observations, record audits, staff interviews, and client surveys. The mean time required to scan and verify forms (62.3 s) was significantly shorter than manual data entry (69.5 s) in one organization, whereas there was no difference (36.6 s vs. 35.4 s) in a second organization. Record audits revealed no differences in data quality between records populated by scanning versus manual data entry. Data processing personnel and immunized clients found the processes involved to be straightforward, while nurses and managers had mixed perceptions regarding the ease and merit of using scannable forms. Printing quality and other factors rendered some forms unscannable, necessitating manual entry.
Scannable forms can facilitate efficient data entry, but certain features of the forms, as well as the workflow and infrastructure into which they are incorporated, should be evaluated and adapted if scannable forms are to be a meaningful alternative to manual data entry. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Membership of the PCIRN Vaccine Coverage Theme Group is provided in the Acknowledgments. Conceived and designed the experiments: CLH SQ JAP SDQ FK MF DLB JCK. Performed the experiments: CLH. Analyzed the data: CLH SQ JAP. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: CLH SQ. Wrote the paper: CLH SQ JAP SDQ FK MF DLB JCK. |
ISSN: | 1932-6203 1932-6203 |
DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0049627 |