0:01
Preventing Clostridium difficile transmission and
infection continues to represent a serious and
difficult challenge in infection prevention and patient safety.
In this module, you will learn about how C.difficile is spread, and
best practices for preventing the spread of the germ in your facility.
The learning objectives for
this module are to describe the epidemiology of C.difficile.
Describe how C.difficile is spread.
Describe the control measures for C.difficile.
Clostridium difficile is a rod shaped,
spore forming bacteria that is normally found in the intestines.
It causes disease by producing toxins, and
is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, meaning it has to be ingested.
C.difficile infection is one of the most common health care acquired infections
that frequently causes life threatening diarrhea in elderly persons residing in
nursing homes.
In 2000, a stronger strain of the bacteria emerged,
which is more virulent than previous strains.
CDC estimates that there are 250,000 infections and 14,000 deaths per year.
Infections and deaths due to C.difficile have increased dramatically between 2000
and 2007, with approximately half of the infections, and
more than 90% of deaths occurring in people aged 65 and older.
Patients in the hospital with C.difficile infection
are more likely to be discharged to a long-term care facility.
Recent data shows that 41.5% of patients hospitalized with
C.difficile are discharged to long-term care facilities.
As a result, a significant number of individuals
may be carrying C.difficile on admission to a long-term care facility, and
up to 20% may acquire the organism during their stay.
As a consequence of the high numbers of residents already admitted to
long-term care facilities with C.difficile from the hospital, and
the subsequent colonization of other residents, the prevalence of C.difficile
colonization in nursing home has been reported to be as high as 46%.
>> Previously on Gowns and Gloves, has David's Hollywood romance with Minerva
inadvertently created complications for his grandmother, Mrs. Houston?
How will his love story end?
And more importantly, will Mrs. Houston receive her own kind of storybook ending?
Find out next on Gowns and Gloves.
3:16
>> Good morning, darling.
[SOUND] How are you feeling today?
Today is the last day of your antibiotic treatment.
>> Unfortunately, Mrs. Houston is not feeling well today.
She's had to make frequent trips to the bathroom yesterday and
today for a bout of diarrhea.
3:38
>> I think, you may have another infection, Mrs. Houston.
Sometimes, people taking antibiotics can be affected
by a bad bug called Clostridium difficile.
Given the symptoms you told me about, I have a feeling this may be the case.
I'll call Dr. Kennedy.
You keep drinking your fluids.
4:05
Clostridium difficile, or C.diff,
is the most frequent cause of antibiotic associated diarrhea in nursing homes.
>> Yeah, but is there anything my character could have done to prevent this?
>> Unfortunately, C.diff is a side-effect of receiving antibiotics.
It is more common in persons over the age of 65,
and among long-term residents in nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.
Now, the best way for residents to reduce their chances of getting C.diff is to
wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom,
4:59
I am sorry you are feeling badly.
>> Thank you.
[MUSIC]
I'm just disappointed, because today,
we were going to tell Priscilla our secret.
>> What secret?
>> Recipe, secret recipe.
You know the brownies that you and Elaine were talking about.
You both have secret family recipes, and Elaine was going to share her's with you.
>> That's right.
Evelyn CookAssociate Director
