Introduction:
Clostridium difficile is a germ that causes diarrhea with the most
important risk factor being exposure to antimicrobials. C.difficile infections can be prevented by using infection control
recommendations and more care use of antibiotics as studies have shown that
between 30-50% of antibiotics prescribed in hospitals are either unnecessary or
incorrect. The CDC estimated the
occurrence of almost half a million infections caused by C.diff. in 2011 with approximately 83,000 of those patients
experiencing at least one recurrence and approximately 29,000 died within 30
days of their initial diagnosis. The
costs associated with C.difficile can
quickly accelerate. Treating C.diff.
in the hospital averages between $3,427-$9960 (in 2012 dollars), and treating
recurrent C.diff. is estimated at
$11,631. This results in a total annual
cost in the United States of more than $1.2 billion. We can prevent C.difficile infections by using infection control recommendations
such as hand washing, appropriate cleaning and strict us of contact precautions
along with more careful use of antibiotics.
Resources:
HRET Resources:
HRET C. difficile Change Package
HRET C. difficile Top Ten Checklist
HRET C. difficile Webinars
