C. difficile rates higher than previously thought
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
May 13, 2009
The prevalence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) bacteria that causes diarrhea and other, often more severe intestinal problems has been greatly underestimated for patients in healthcare facilities, announced The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) last week. A study published in the May American Journal of Infection Control shows that 13 out of every 1,000 inpatients have C. difficile, which is 6.5 to 20 times higher than previously thought. The annual costs associated with caring for patients with C. difficile ranges from $17.6 to $51.5 million.
APIC is publishing a handbook titled “Guide to the Elimination of Clostridium difficile in Healthcare Settings” that highlights some best practices for reducing the spread of C. difficle. They include:
- A risk assessment for identifying areas at high-risk for C. difficile infection
- A surveillance program to find where C. difficile may show up next
- Adherance to hand hygiene guidelines
- Use of contact precautions
