Immunization registry accuracy: improvement with progressive clinical application.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare systems have been challenged to ensure the timely administration of immunizations. Immunization registries have been proposed to improve the accuracy and completeness of immunization information and to promote effective practice. METHODS: Comparison of randomly selected samples from two birth cohorts (1993 and 1998) from Denver Health Medical Center. Chart review and immunization registry information for these groups were compared/ a composite immunization was recorded and up-to-date (UTD) status established. Registry data were compared with this composite using a sensitivity measure to assess completeness and accuracy. RESULTS: Among 818 children in the 1993 cohort and 1043 children in the 1998 cohort- there were 6386 and 6886 valid immunizations- respectively. The registry recorded 71.4% and 97.7% of these for the 1993 and 1998 cohorts- respectively (p