PneumoVaccines app helps determine when your patient needs pneumococcal vaccine

Clinical Scenario:

You are seeing one of your favorite geriatric patients for a wellness exam today. The patient is 67 years old and has a history of COPD and chronic renal failure. He received a PPSV23 prior to 65 and at age 66. When can he receive PCV13? What if he was 64 and hadn’t received either vaccine yet? What if you were seeing a 23 year old female for a pap smear–who also smokes? Which vaccine should she receive? PneumoVaccines will help you with these decisions! Let’s take a look at PneumoVaccines in action.

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One of the most common tasks during my clinic day is to ensure my patients are up to date on their vaccinations. Recently the CDC/FDA/ACIP introduced the new pneumococcal conjugate 13 valent vaccine (PCV13) for use in adults in addition to the pneumococcal polysaccharide 23 valent vaccine (PPSV23). For many of our clinic’s nursing staff, residents and faculty, the transition has caused some confusion. Despite updates to existing “shots” apps such as Shots by STFM, CDV Vaccines and ACP Immunization Advisor, the process can still be challenging to explain to patients and ensure immunizations are given at the right time and in the proper sequence.

Who else to come to the rescue other than Dr Joshua Steinberg? For years, I have used his many outstanding medical applications. He has just released two new apps, PneumoVaccines and Depo Calendar, which I reviewed yesterday. He has designed a variety of useful point of care apps including PreopEval14, PFT Eval, EFM Guide, PE & DVT Dx Tool, OB Wheels and my favorite, Pneumonia Guide. The content of the PneumoVaccines app consists of two initial questions and some additional tables. The app walks you through the process of correctly administering and sequencing PPV13 and PPSV23 to eligible patients 65 and up and 19 to 64 years old. The app includes two reference tables from the CDC guidelines on vaccine intervals and vaccine indications. Additionally, Dr Steinberg includes his references and a link to other apps he recommends (in addition to his own).

Evidence based medicine

PneumoVaccines incorporates the most current vaccines guidelines published by the ACIP and the CDC in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly including the 2015 updates. The app contains handy reference tables on vaccine intervals and indications.

What providers would benefit from this App?

Students, residents, mid-levels, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Nursing Staff and any provider who administers adult immunizations.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.