Think globally, act locally: Quality improvement as a catalyst for COVID-19 related care during the transitional years

J Pediatr Rehabil Med. 2021;14(4):691-697. doi: 10.3233/PRM-210119.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed distinctive challenges to adolescents and young adults living with spina bifida, especially those from ethic minority populations. With this public health challenge in mind, developing a customized electronic health record to leverage registry data to promote and quantify COVID-19 vaccination uptake among this population is feasible. We provide a brief description of our activities in customizing an electronic health record to track vaccination uptake among adolescents and young adults with spina bifida (AYASB); and the lessons learned, in hopeful support of those scaling-up vaccination delivery across the globe for AYASB as they transition to adult-centered care. Thus, as providers think globally and act locally, COVID-19 immunization efforts can be implemented while providing culturally appropriate transition policies and services for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 vaccine; Transition to adult-centered care; blue-marble health; care coordination; health disparities; mental health; quality improvement; spina bifida.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Quality Improvement
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines