Last updated: 15 October 2018 Home-based Record Repository  Welcome to this home-based record repository! Home-based records, as described below, provide an inexpensive yet effective mechanism for systematically recording the primary care services received by an individual in many countries. The purpose of this repository is to support the free and open exchange of information related to home-based record (HBR) content and design that ultimately may be useful to the improvement of health outcomes. It is with great appreciation that we extend words of humble gratitude to the many persons around the world in immunization programme offices, UNICEF and WHO country offices, among others who have taken the time to share the documents contained herein. We invite you to view the available home-based records by selecting from the country listing at left. Note: If the information posted here is incorrect, please send an e-mail to info [at] brownconsultingroup [dot] org (to the attention of D Brown) with a short note explaining the error and supporting documentation.
Home-based records: definition and function A home-based record is a medical document—more often physical rather than electronic—issued by a health authority—such as a national, provincial, state or district health department—on which an individual’s history of primary healthcare services (e.g., vaccinations) received is recorded. In contrast to a facility-based record, the home-based record is maintained in the household by an individual or their caregiver. Home-based records are an important component of immunization service delivery. When well-designed, available in adequate supply, widely adopted and appropriately utilized, home-based records (HBRs) complement facility-based records within routine health information systems by providing a standardized form for legibly recording an individual’s vaccination history in an organized and consistent manner for future reference and review (a wiki describing the home-based record in further detail can be found here). HBRs serve as an important information resource to enhance health professionals’ ability to make clinical decisions with the potential to enhance continuity of care and alleviate risks such as missed opportunities for delivering vaccination as well as unnecessarily re-vaccination that may be associated with absent or suboptimal documentation within health facilities. Importantly, HBRs also serve as a point of reference around which health care providers may start discussions with individuals or their caregivers and empower them to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Finally, because HBRs serve as a source of documented evidence of an individual’s vaccination history, they play an important role beyond direct clinical care including within quality of care management and public health monitoring through vaccination coverage surveys. Unfortunately, the HBR is too often unable to fulfil its intended purpose because:
We continue to understand the reasons that underlie these HBR system failures in order to identify corrective actions. We believe this site is an important part of that process, and we look forward to its continued improvement.
Countries are listed in the left sidebar in alphabetical order according to country name. Select a country to view available home-based vaccination records. As of 28 November 2017, records are available here from 163 countries or territories, of which 156 are Member States of the World Health Assembly. A tracking sheet highlighting the countries for which electronic and/or hard copies of home-based vaccination records are on file is available at http://bit.do/HBR-tracking.  Take a few moments to view a brief video from John Snow Inc (JSI) describing the roles and functions of home-based records. Home-based records are available here from 163 countries or territories* as of 28 November 2017   The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. * Of the 163 countries or territories, 156 are Member States of the World Health Assembly. Related Postings from TechNet and elsewhere on the web.
Related reading material is noted below.
A website to track the prevalence of home-based vaccination records seen at the time of household survey can be found at: http://bit.do/HBR-prevalence. Home-based record awareness images      Disclaimer: The findings and views expressed herein are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of their respective institutions. All reasonable precautions have been taken to verify the information contained herein. However, the material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the site administrator or his employer be liable for damages arising from its use. |