A study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine reveals that approximately 1 in 20 adults hospitalized with firearm injuries develop bacterial infections. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research highlights that most infections occur during the initial hospital stay rather than after discharge, raising concerns about infection control in trauma care settings.
Bacterial infections complicate the recovery of about 5% of adults hospitalized with firearm injuries, according to new research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from patients treated for firearm related injuries and found that infections were far more likely to develop during the initial hospital stay than after discharge.
The findings underscore a previously underrecognized risk in trauma care, where infection control measures may need reinforcement. While the overall infection rate remains relatively low, the study suggests that firearm injuries, already a significant public health concern, carry additional complications that could prolong hospital stays and increase healthcare costs.
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