Improving Immunization Health Care Data Quality using Two-Dimensional Barcoding and Barcode Scanning Practices

Abstract

Abstract Background Manual data entry is time-consuming, inefficient, and error prone. In contrast, leveraging two-dimensional (2D) barcodes and barcode scanning tools is a rapid and effective practice for automatically entering vaccine data accurately and completely. CDC pilots documented clinical and public health impacts of 2D barcode scanning practices on data quality and completeness, time savings, workflow efficiencies, and staff experience. Objectives Data entry practices and entered records from routine and mass vaccination settings were analyzed. Data quality improvement opportunities were identified. Methods A sample of 50 million emergency use authorization (EUA) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine records were analyzed for accuracy and completeness across three data fields: lot number, expiration date, and National Drug Code (NDC). The EUA COVID-19 vaccines lacked a 2D barcode containing these data fields, which necessitated manual data entry at administration. A CDC pilot at clinic compared scanned and manually entered data for routine vaccines across these same data fields. Results Analysis of 50 million manually entered EUA COVID-19 vaccine administration records indicated significant gaps in data accuracy and completeness across three data fields. Over half of the analyzed EUA vaccine NDCs (53%) and one-third of the expiration dates (35%) had missing or inaccurate data recorded. Pilot data also showed many errors when manually entered. However, when the pilot's routine vaccines were scanned (out of 71,969 records), nearly all entries were complete and accurate across all three data fields (ranging from 99.7% to 99.999% accurate). Conclusion Vaccine 2D barcode scanning practices increased data accuracy and completeness (up to 99.999% accurate) across data fields assessed. When used consistently, vaccine 2D barcode scanning can resolve issues demonstrated in manually entered data. To realize these benefits, the immunization community should widely use scanning practices. To increase use, CDC developed a Vaccine 2D Barcode National Adoption Strategy and implementation resources.