Pneumococcal screening

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

The pneumococcal screening prompts us to immunize certain risk factors. When screening, do you immunize a person whose only risk factor is hypertension? Our paper says to immunize those with "heart disease", do you consider hypertension to be heart disease? Some of our cardiologists have opposing opinions and wanted to know your thoughts.

Thanks

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

Maybe I should have posted this is the Med Surg or Cardiac forum...:rolleyes:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

How old is the patient? I administer the pneumococcal vaccine in my clinic, and the doctors offer it to those over 65 years of age, to those who have chronic illness such as diabetes, cardiac and pulmonary problems. They will also order it to those that request it.

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Pagandeva is correct. From an evidence-based practice perspective, it's usually the congestive and ischemic cardiac disorders that will tag a person for PNA vaccine (and flu), as well as DM, pulmonary dysfunction, age over 65, etc.

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