Could the COVID-19 Open Data Strategy be Adapted to Address Other Global Health Threats Effectively A Bibliometric Analysis of the Literature

Background: In the wake of the pandemic, open data has made possible mapping, evaluating, and monitoring the COVID-19 rate of transmission at a local, national, and global level. Such a strategy follows WHO's efforts to provide updated and useful information in order to tackle public health issues and provide resources for research in the health sciences. Methods: A bibliometric analysis of the literature was conducted. Results: Published papers on open data impact on infection risk and rate dramatically increased in the observed period of time (2018–21). Furthermore, it becomes apparent that, while COVID-19-related literature led to such a "critical mass" of publications in 2018–21, papers about open data, antimicrobial resistance, and Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections are very few or absent. Conclusion: An open data strategy is beneficial in tracking, studying, and adopting measures not only for Covid-19 but also for providing nurses and allied healthcare professionals with rock-solid evidence upon which to develop health plans.