Infection control assessment after an influenza outbreak in a residential care facility for children and young adults with neurologic and neurodevelopmental conditions

Publication Trends of Research on Adverse Event and Patient Safety in Nursing Research: A 8-Year Bibliometric Analysis

BACKGROUND

Adverse events (AEs), which are associated with medical system instability, poor clinical outcomes, and increasing socioeconomic burden, represent a negative outcome of the healthcare system and profoundly influence patient safety. However, research into AEs remains at a developmental stage according to the existing literature, and no previous studies have systematically reviewed the current state of research in the field of AEs. Therefore, the aims of this study were to interpret the results of published research in the field of AEs through bibliometric analysis and to analyze the trends and patterns in the data, which will be important for subsequent innovations in the field.

METHODS

A statistical and retrospective visualization bibliometric analysis was performed on July 28, 2022. The research data were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection, and bibliometric citation analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer 1.6.18, CiteSpace 6.1.R2, and the Online Analysis Platform of Literature Metrology ( http://bibliometric.com/ ).

RESULTS

A total of 1035 publications on AEs were included in the analysis. The number of articles increased annually from 2014 to 2022. Among them, the United States (n = 318) made the largest contribution, and Chung-Ang University (n = 20) was the affiliation with the greatest influence in this field. Despite notable international cooperation, a regional concentration of research literature production was observed in economically more developed countries. In terms of authors, Stone ND (n = 9) was the most productive author in the research of AEs. Most of the publications concerning AEs were cited from internationally influential nursing journals, and the Journal of Nursing Management (n = 62) was the most highly published journal. Regarding referencing, the article titled "Medical error-the third leading cause of death in the US" received the greatest attention on this topic (51 citations).

CONCLUSIONS

After systematically reviewed the current state of research in the field of AEs through bibliometric analysis, and AEs highlighted medication errors, patient safety, according reporting, and quality improvement as essential developments and research hotspots in this field. Furthermore, thematic analysis identified 2 new directions in research, concerned with psychological safety, nurse burnout, and with important research value and broad application prospects in the future.

The reported effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with intellectual disability and their carers: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

People with an intellectual disability are a vulnerable group during COVID-19 due to multi-morbidity, frailty, underlying conditions/health problems, social circumstances and limitations in understanding. This place them at greater risk of more severe outcomes from COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

To chart the evidence of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with intellectual disability and their carers reported in the research.

METHODS

A scoping review method was used to review literature published across eight databases in 2020 and included manual searches of reference lists of included articles.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were selected for inclusion. The findings highlight that professionals, people with intellectual disability and their carers were keen to comply with pandemic related public health guidance. However, implementing infection prevention and control measures in certain contexts for people with intellectual disability was challenging. Thereby a rights-based, person-centred approach to care is essential and professionals need to extend their understanding and practice of collaborative working to include people with intellectual disability and their family/carers. The findings highlight that compliance with public health guidance and infection control measures can be difficult for people with intellectual disability to implement.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited good quality robust research on COVID-19 and people with intellectual disability and/or their carers experiences.

The importance of seasonal influenza vaccination for people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

A large proportion of Americans have at least one disability and yet people with disabilities face inequities in health and health care access. Factors associated with underlying disability and health, how they perceive and interact with the world, and where they live, or work may increase the risk people with disabilities face for illness or severe outcomes from seasonal influenza. Given the need to reduce the burden of respiratory illness on a healthcare system already overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, maximizing seasonal influenza vaccination coverage is particularly important in 2020–2021. It is critical this season to ensure equitable access to influenza vaccination for people with disabilities. Providing influenza vaccination services in the unique places where people with disabilities are living, working, or receiving care during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial, as well as communicating effectively to people with different types of disabilities.

Influenza vaccination and treatment in children with neurologic disorders

Influenza viruses cause substantial morbidity in children each year, especially among children with specific chronic conditions. In particular, neurologic disorders have emerged as a strong risk factor for influenza-related complications. Children with these disorders may be vulnerable due to diminished respiratory muscle strength, decreased muscle tone or impaired mobility, which can compromise pulmonary function and the ability to handle secretions. Although they represent a small fraction of the general pediatric population, children with neurologic disorders make up a disproportionately high number of those children who are hospitalized and die as a result of influenza-associated complications. Annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications, and is recommended for all children 6 months through 18 years of age, including children with neurologic disorders. Family members and those who work with these children in institutional, educational and daycare settings should also be vaccinated against influenza annually. However, there have been few studies of influenza vaccination specifically in this population. In addition, vaccine effectiveness may vary from year to year and vaccination will not prevent all infections. Early empiric antiviral treatment should be started promptly in these children if they present to healthcare providers with symptoms suspicious for influenza. This article reviews influenza epidemiology in children with neurologic disorders and what is known about vaccines and other methods of protecting this vulnerable population from influenza-related complications.