PHHP 95 - Practical Report on Multi-professional Collaboration During the First and Second COVID-19 Vaccination Projects

Background: In Japan, the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination began in April 2021 for local residents. Many patients who wish to be vaccinated have voiced concerns about side effects. Our cardiovascular hospital with fewer than 100 beds has cooperated with the municipal government's independent COVID-19 vaccination project, and established a system that enables patients to receive vaccinations without worry.

Methods: In January 2021, we launched a COVID-19 vaccine team with infection control certified nurses. A COVID-19 vaccine call center was added to the infection control room, and an environment where infection control doctors and certified pharmacists could respond to patient consultations was established. In addition, we positioned the vaccination of medical workers as a rehearsal for the vaccination of local residents, and repeatedly examined the establishment of a vaccination system that avoids the three Cs. Furthermore, the hospital has developed its own reservation system for a smoother process based on the vaccination priority indicated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In addition, to prevent a surplus of COVID-19 vaccines, we contacted those who booked the vaccination three weeks and one week before the vaccination date. On the day of vaccination, rehabilitation staff assisted older adults in walking, and a registered dietitian and a pharmacist checked the pre-examination form before the interview. Health observations were made by a nursing manager at the waiting area after inoculation.

Results: In a three-hour time frame every Friday afternoon and Sunday, 7200 vaccinations were administered from June to November 2021. Sixty staff members responded to each vaccination. There were no vaccination errors such as incorrect vaccination intervals, vaccination for people outside the target age range, over-vaccination, or discarding.

Conclusions: Multi-professional communication strengthened multi-professional collaboration and led to smoother vaccination. In the future, vaccination systems should be built within the framework of general outpatient care.