HPV QI Program

National HPV Quality Improvement Program

The Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (IA AAP) is participating in a yearlong quality improvement grant program to improve HPV vaccinations rates in the state. IA AAP joins other AAP chapters in this collaborative program, sponsored by the national organization with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program is part of an ongoing HPV vaccination/cancer prevention initiative.

HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is a common virus, spread through sexual contact. The virus can produce health problems, including genital warts and cancers. A two to three dose (depending on age) vaccine series administered to youth and adolescents prevents the virus and the cancers it can produce.

Iowa's AAP chapter is supporting the development and implementation of quality improvement (QI) model projects at Blank Children’s Hospital and the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital to explore best practices for increasing rates of HPV vaccination for adolescent boys and girls. Following the Model of Improvement and implementing a PDSA
cycle (Plan/Do/Study/Act), IA AAP chapter members engaged in these QI projects are using strong provider recommendations and participating in peer-to-peer education to spread key concepts for improving HPV vaccination rates within pediatric practices throughout the state.