1. Researchers at the University of East Angila in the U.K. tested a DNA sequencing device the size of a USB stick that may be able to detect urinary tract infections four times faster traditional bacteria culturing. Read more.
2. According to recent research, an experimental antibody developed by Merck & Co. reduced the recurrence of Clostridium difficile infections by 10 percentage points. Read more.
3. In a study of 142 patients with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus infections, researchers found that treatment with cefazolin resulted in better outcomes at a significantly cheaper cost than nafcillin, which is traditionally used to treat MSSA. Read more.
4. A 12-year study of two measles-containing vaccines, performed by the Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center in Oakland, Calif., confirmed that seven main adverse outcomes were unlikely after either vaccine. Read more.
5. Infections caused by the virus cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is frequently blamed for complications that occur after kidney transplant surgeries, but donor and recipient age may be a better indicator of transplant success. Read more.
6. Seniors with pneumonia were more likely to survive if they were treated in an intensive care unit as opposed to a general hospital bed. Moreover, the cost of care was about the same between the two bed types, according to a recent study. Read more.
7. The whooping cough vaccine may be ineffective against certain less common strains of the virus, according to recent research. Read more.
8. Inserting central venous catheters under the collarbone (as opposed to in the neck or groin) was linked with lower rates of bloodstream infections in a recent study. Read more.
9. The single factor with the largest influence over readmission rates could be unrelated to improvements in patient comfort and hospital amenities. Read more.
10. A drug called ebselen could help stop the spread of C. diff infections even though it’s not an antibiotic. Read more.
11. Medicaid-insured, low-income women who experienced complications with their pregnancies use the emergency room at higher than average rates after delivery and may require more postpartum care. Read more.
12. Researchers investigating racial disparities in care within the VA health system reported that over a nine-year period, the mortality rate for black patients was 24 percent lower than it was for white patients when receiving the same level of care. Read more.
13. Less may be more when it comes to hand hygiene protocol, according to a study that reports compliance rose at one facility after it dropped a rule declaring mandatory glove use for all patient interactions. Read more.
