Here are 10 articles on medical research study findings from the week of Oct. 26.
1. A recent study from MGH found some medication mistake or adverse event occurred in every other operation studied. Read more.
2. Researchers from Australian National University in Canberra and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Darlinghurst, Australia identified a gene that triggers the inflammatory conditions that result in sepsis. Read more.
3. Two long-term acute care hospitals evaluated how using launderable mattresses and bed deck covers affected the incidence of hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infection in a recent study. Read more.
4. A new study suggests evaluating hospital-onset bacteremia as a healthcare-associated infection-related outcome measure instead of central line-associated bloodstream infection rate. Read more.
5. An analysis of two years of data from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago suggests the use of Medical Home Network MHNConnect care-coordination tool has contributed to significant decreases in readmissions. Read more.
6. In complicated appendicitis cases, routine postoperative antibiotics did not help reduce infections in a recent study conducted at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute and Olive View-UCLA Medical Center. Read more.
7. In a study of cardiac surgery patients, patients who were divorced, separated or widowed were more likely to have died or developed a new functional disability post-surgery when compared to married patients. Read more.
8. Houston Methodist Hospital implemented a four-part detection and management program, which was shown to be very successful in a recent study. Read more.
9. Compared to non-diabetic patients, patients with diabetes are at considerably greater risk for developing surgical site infections while undergoing most types of surgeries. Read more.
10. Researchers found using a social messaging strategy — which suggests handwashing will win the attention, approval, admiration, love and respect of others — is the most likely strategy to prompt increased handwashing. Read more.