documenting past immunizations?

[bananas85]

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how do you guys document past immunization that you dont have clear records off, but the patient states something like "yehh.... i got a shot 8 years ago and i think it was a pneumonia shot.. " or "yeh i got a shot and it was Tetanus not sure if it was TDAP etc.."

my patient population is indigent and their subjective medical history is a hit or miss. Should I just simply take their word for it and move on? or should i play it safe and revaccinate them? Their are pros and cons to both approach... simply taking their word for it would prevent wastage, any minimal adverse events and savc time (also save the whole "that shot made me sick conversation" arghhh so tired of having that conversation)


Con would be potentially missing a needed vaccination

 

[CatFactorial]

It's usually not a problem for me since the VA keeps good vaccination records but when in doubt I revaccinate.

 

[gutonc]

I send them to their PCP and have them figure it out.

 

[Raryn]

I send them to their PCP and have them figure it out.

This for everything except flu/pneumonia. Those I'll revaccinate if it's unsure. If it's too early for the pneumonia, it's not like a polysaccharide vaccine is going to hurt them.