Flu Recall audit tool can help practices improve uptake of the flu jab

According to figures recently released by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) thousands of UK patients have so far not taken up a flu vaccination this year, compared to 2014 figures.

The PRIMIS' Flu Recall audit tool is designed to help accurately identify all 'at-risk' patients so they can be invited in for their vaccination, helping practices to minimise a shortfall in their flu jab uptake.

This year's reduction in flu jabs given by GPs (down 6% on last year's figures or equivalent to around 100 fewer patients per practice) can leave 'at-risk' groups vulnerable, says the RCGP. The RCGP reports that GPs say the mild weather is deterring people even though colder weather is not always a factor in flu outbreaks. It is also possible that a higher uptake in vaccinations by pharmacists is contributing to the lower numbers (although pharmacies should be informing GP surgeries for entry onto patient records).

'At-risk' groups include older people, pregnant women, people with learning disabilities and those with certain long-term conditions such as heart, liver and kidney disease, asthma and also carers.

Flu Recall offers the following benefits to practices:

• helps validate practices' flu recall registers for use year-on-year
• ensures data on vaccinations are captured and recorded to maintain an accurate and complete patient record
• enables the identification and management of patients in 'grey areas', where it is uncertain whether a 'flu vaccination is required
• helps practices track and manage patients who move in and out of at-risk groups 
• includes a useful mail merge facility, assisting in the preparation of invitation letters
• helps GP practices organise their 'flu, zoster and pneumococcal campaigns efficiently, with minimum waste, expense or unnecessary effort

This year's version of the audit tool includes the following improvements:

• a complete redesign of the summary sheet and datasheet to assist with patient recall
• a clearer breakdown of which groups patients fall into
• includes immuno-compromised patients as a new group

How to obtain the Flu Recall audit tool

Are you a full Hub member? If so, the Flu Recall audit tool will appear for download in 'Check for updates' within CHART.

For basic members, this audit tool can be purchased as a one-off licence for £50 (plus VAT). 

See The University of Nottingham's Online Store to purchase and for full licence details and conditions.