 |
Clostridium difficile, also known as C. difficile or C. diff, is a spore-forming bacterium that can cause an infection whose primary symptom is severe diarrhea. Over the years, C. diff infection has become more prevalent and severe in long-term care settings, and management of its symptoms has likewise become more complex. However, by understanding what C. diff infection is and how it can be spread, long-term care providers can better incorporate practices into their care routines to prevent cross-contamination and reduce their residents’ risk of contracting the infection.
“C. diff has plagued inpatient healthcare settings for some time, but the long-term care population is increasingly susceptible due to years of antibiotic misuse and residents commonly having multiple comorbidities, as well as the infection’s highly contagious nature,” says Stefanie Corbett, DHA, postacute care regulatory specialist for H3.Group.
Residents who are at an increased risk for contracting C.diff infections include those who: - Have been treated with antibiotics and/or medications that suppress stomach acid (e.g., Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium®)
- Have had gastrointestinal surgery
- Have undergone an extended length of stay in a healthcare facility
- Have a serious underlying illness
- Are immunosuppressed (e.g., from cancer or advanced age)
Want to read more about how C.diff infection can be spread so you can prevent cross-contamination in your facility? Subscribe to PPS Alert for Long-Term Care and read the full article. This monthly digital newsletter provides practical tips, how-to-guidance, vital tools, and top industry news that tackle tough topics such as the recently proposed replacement of RUG-IV, MDS 3.0, QAPI, therapy assessment and documentation, and infection control to help your facility remain compliant and quality-focused. |
| |
| |
