Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Standardized Mobile Vaccination Clinic
Training Program for Nurse Leaders in Reducing COVID-19 Vaccination
Administration Errors
Abstract
Objective: In response to the urgent need for COVID-19
vaccination clinics for vulnerable populations in
Kentucky (12.2% live in poverty; 5.6% lack healthcare coverage),
nurse leaders received training through a standardized training program
to prevent COVID-19 vaccine administration errors (VAE). This project
aimed to evaluate the process effectiveness of the training program as
perceived by the trainees (Team Leaders) and to assess the number and
types of vaccination errors that occurred during mobile vaccination
clinics during the mobile clinics in Kentucky. Design: A
program evaluation. Sample: A total of 12 Nurse Team Leaders
underwent the standardized training program. Measurement: The
Logic-Model-based, 7-item, 4-point Likert scale (α=. 84) was used to
evaluate training effectiveness. VAE rates were calculated.
Intervention: The Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA) developed a
standardized COVID-19 vaccination training program for Team Leaders to
prevent VAE during the mobile clinics. Components of the training
program (program development, training protocols, and error monitoring)
were based on the CDC’s (2022) recommendation that all healthcare
providers need to know how to store, handle, prepare, and administer
each COVID-19 vaccine product. Results: Team Leaders strongly
agreed on the effectiveness of the training (e.g., the importance of
training, staying updated, and feeling prepared). VAE was 0.001%
(9/8086 administrations over 16 months). Conclusion: Findings
suggest that the training program successfully prevented vaccination
errors, and that Nurse Team Leaders collectively perceived the training
program as effective. Widespread adoption of similar programs is
recommended to prevent VAE during public health emergencies, including
future pandemics.