Examining the impact of an asthma e-proforma on vaccination rates: A focus on elderly individuals and chronic oral corticosteroid use

<bold>Introduction:</bold> The GINA guidelines recommend asthma patients receive annual influenza, COVID-19 vaccination, and pneumococcal vaccine for those at higher risk. <bold>Aim:</bold> To assess e-proforma’s effectiveness by comparing the documentation of vaccination advice in clinical letters pre-proforma to the documentation in e-proforma in the elderly (≥65 years) and those on chronic oral corticosteroid (OCS). <bold>Method:</bold> A retrospective audit of 103 patients’ letters pre-proforma and 100 patients’ e-proforma was performed. Differences in baseline characteristics between groups were assessed using using Chi-squared test of independence, Fischer’s exact test and independent samples t-test. <bold>Results:</bold> Among the cohort using chronic OCS (23 pre-proforma, 30 e-proforma), a statistically significant difference emerged in the documentation of completed vaccinations for COVID-19 (9% vs. 57%), flu (0% vs. 50%), and pneumococcal (0% vs. 27%). The e-proforma significantly improved vaccine advice provision (4% vs. 60%, p < 0.01). For patients aged ≥65 years (23 pre-proforma, 26 e-proforma), notable increases in documentation were observed for COVID-19 vaccination (13% vs. 65%, p < 0.01) and influenza vaccination (13% vs. 50%, p < 0.01) post e-proforma introduction. However, no significant improvement in vaccine advice provision occurred in this patient group. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Utilizing the e-proforma demonstrates superior documentation practices and leads to potentially improved outcomes for our patients. Adhering to GINA guidelines and ensuring timely administration of vaccine advice serves to mitigate exacerbation risks, prevent complications, and alleviate the burden of hospitalizations.