New study finds bacterial infections affect about 1 in 20 hospitalized adults with firearm injuries
A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) found that bacterial infections develop in approximately 5% of adults hospitalized with firearm injuries, with most infections occurring during the initial hospitalization rather than after patients return home. The findings were published in JAMA Network Open as a research letter.
A recent analysis by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) reveals that bacterial infections occur in around 5% of adults hospitalized with firearm injuries in the United States. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, indicate that most infections develop during the initial hospital stay rather than after patients are discharged.
The study, which analyzed data from 24,024 adults across 323 hospitals between 2019 and 2021, found that patients undergoing surgeries involving the head, neck, spine, liver, or lower abdomen had the highest risk of bacterial infections. Common pathogens included Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterococci. The researchers noted that while antibiotic exposure was generally low among patients who did not develop infections, the study could not independently link bacterial infection to higher mortality rates.
Lead author Dr. Jonathan Baghdadi emphasized the importance of this research in informing clinical decision-making and improving patient outcomes.
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