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%.
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Evelyn CookAssociate Director
