Falsified Immunization Record

kidzcare · Sep 23, 2015

I have never encountered this! Though it wouldn't surprise me.

Last year, a nurse at another of our schools found that a parent was falsifying doctor's notes. She was photocopying an original but replacing the date. I don't know what ever came of that situation.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Sep 23, 2015

a number of years ago my state started a computerized database for all shot records. It's great when it's accurate, but i have to depend on the doctors offices to keep it accurate. There are cases when the students are not on it or the doctors are not good about updating it - or if the student tends to go from doctor to doctor it tends not to get updated as well. I believe there must be laws against falsifying medical documents. I'll have to look into it for my state

OldDude · Sep 23, 2015

a number of years ago my state started a computerized database for all shot records. It's great when it's accurate, but i have to depend on the doctors offices to keep it accurate. There are cases when the students are not on it or the doctors are not good about updating it - or if the student tends to go from doctor to doctor it tends not to get updated as well. I believe there must be laws against falsifying medical documents. I'll have to look into it for my state

We have a similar thing in Texas called ImmTrac, but like your's, it's only as accurate as the information submitted and not mandatory for pediatricians to participate. I was looking at it yesterday for one kid and it showed the child received a round of immunizations on one date, followed by another round of the same immunizations on the very next day.

AdobeRN · Sep 23, 2015

We have run across 1 - and that was because another parent ratted out the one that falsified the records. The child had a late birthday that was right after the cutoff date (Sept 1st) - the parent changed every document that was handed in to make it look like the kid was actually a year older so they could start kindergarten. Quickly glancing at the immunization record it looked like it was just a poor quality copy but when you really looked at it you could see where white out was used on the dates.

Farawyn · Sep 23, 2015

Probably. I look for the stamp and sig, but if it's a copy it is hard to tell.

SnowyJ, RN · Sep 23, 2015

We are not supposed to accept any imm records that are not signed (Stamp doesn't count) by the MD or other practitioner. Of course they forget to sign ALL the time. I do require hand written ones to be signed.

Also have the State Database which may or may not be accurate. Found out last week that the MDs are required by State Law to keep it updated. They usually do, but it is frustrating when they don't.

My issue this year? MDs "refusing" to give needed boosters in order for a student to be considered compliant. They count doses rather than looking at the timing of certain vaccines. Had to get the DOH to intervene! Ridiculous time waster. :no:

kidzcare · Sep 23, 2015

My issue this year? MDs "refusing" to give needed boosters in order for a student to be considered compliant. They count doses rather than looking at the timing of certain vaccines. Had to get the DOH to intervene! Ridiculous time waster.

This is what I'm dealing with right now too!

In Illinois, Hep B compliance is checked at 6th grade, so in May, I go through 400+ 5th grader immunization records to alert any parents if their student's hep B dates are out of the specified intervals (or if other immunizations are missing). I get really specific on it too. I include what dates we have on file and how it is out of compliance so they can bring it directly to their dr office. IE: Johnny had his Hep B vaccinations on 1/1/01, 2/4/01, and 3/13/01. This is only 72 days between first and third does, needs to be at least 112.

Some choose to have another vaccination, but some doctor's send in a note that says something along the lines of "This pt is under my care and I consider him/her adequately immunized. No booster required at this time." I fax it to the dept of public health and they send the parents a note stating whether or not they accept it as being in compliance.

I sent 26 of those letters at the end of last year.

SnowyJ, RN · Sep 23, 2015

"This pt is under my care and I consider him/her adequately immunized. No booster required at this time."

This drives me batty!!! As IF the MD has the right to make that decision. I wish the Health Dept. would start fining these practitioners for their refusal to comply. I feel your pain.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2015

My kingdom for state-wide immunization records. It is supposed to happen in MA, but it hasn't yet. And when it does, I am sure I will hit the same roadblocks as you guys, but at least it will be there.

huffmannurse · Sep 24, 2015

I am happy to say the ShowMeVax. The Missouri state database is awesome. I know our state immunization people work hard to get providers to be in compliance. I highly suggest that ALL nurses get involved and push for a state database and its accuracy. This has saved me countless hours. I print most of my shot records before the parent has a chance to get them to me. But, I still have the secretaries and principals try to get them. I usually compare what the parent brings me with the one I print. In case the child had shots somewhere else. The one that I find left off the state database on occasion is the Hep B the kiddo received at birth.

allnurses Guide · Sep 24, 2015

My kingdom for state-wide immunization records. It is supposed to happen in MA, but it hasn't yet. And when it does, I am sure I will hit the same roadblocks as you guys, but at least it will be there.

We have it but as others have stated, working on getting all the providers using it as well. Actually, locally in the north state, it works well.