In the retrospective analysis, researchers used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to match 11,374 patients with AF between 2000 and 2010 with patients of similar age and sex who did not have AF.
Here are four insights:
1. The study found patients who did not receive an influenza vaccination and then acquired influenza had a much higher risk of developing AF than patients who did not have vaccinations but did not get an infection.
2. Researchers found the vaccinations were associated with a lower risk of developing AF, whether or not the patient had a documented infection.
3. The findings reported an 18 percent increase in the risk of developing AF if a patient had an influenza infection.
4. Based on past research and the study’s findings, researchers strongly recommend people get the influenza vaccine.
More articles on quality & infection control:
NewYork-Presbyterian incorporates mobile healthcare — 5 observations
CMS, payers reach consensus on how to measure physician quality — 5 points
Unreported, preventable medical errors may cost thousands of Iowans their lives — 4 notes
