Here are 10 articles on medical research study findings from the week of May 18.
1. A U.S. News & World Report analysis revealed patients are at a higher risk of suffering death or serious complications when surgeons at a hospital perform a low volume of cases of a certain procedure than if the surgeons and hospitals have more experience.
2. One study demonstrated that nearly half (45 percent) of pediatric patient harms are potentially or definitely preventable.
3. Researchers found diagnostic errors can lead to increased risk of incorrect antibiotic use, which ultimately can threaten patient outcomes and increase overall antibiotic resistance.
4. Scientists at the University of Liverpool in the U.K. revealed how a bacteria infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae increases the risk of fatal heart complications including heart failure and heart attacks.
5. Nanoengineers at the University of California, San Diego, created a potential treatment for skin and wound infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
6. A study presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference showed readmissions from severe sepsis are along the lines of readmissions from more commonly discussed conditions like heart failure and pneumonia, though it is not discussed as often.
7. Researchers at Houston's Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center developed electronic alerts to identify patients who are experiencing delays in receiving their imaging results.
8. Research revealed central line-associated bloodstream infections are frequently linked to readmissions, similar to sepsis, Clostridium difficile and surgical site infections.
9. A cross-sectional study found patients with stable coronary disease who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are frequently misinformed about the risks and benefits of the procedure by their physician.
9. Danish researchers discovered infections of the stomach, urinary tract or skin may affect a person's cognitive abilities and IQ.
10. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists engineered a second-generation antibiotic that may combat common drug-resistant bacterial infections.