Clostridium difficile: A Growing Threat

C. difficile is among the fastest growing and threatening pathogens in the U.S. and abroad. It is imperative that healthcare professionals educate themselves about this organism, learn to quickly identify and appropriately care for patients infected with C. diff, and strictly follow infection prevention and control measures to fight this growing threat.

This program produced in association with:

Clinical Advisor(s):
Erik R. Dubberke, MD
Jennie L. Mayfield, BSN, MPH, CIC
Patricia A. Byers, RM, M (ASCP), CIC
Keith A. Rains, RN, BSN, CIC

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Learning Objective: Educate healthcare professionals on how to prevent transmission, as well as identify and care for patients at risk or infected with C. difficile

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A new super bug, Clostridium difficile, is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea acquired while being treated in a hospital, and the most common cause of acute diarrheal illness in long term care facilities. Most troubling, a new strain of C. difficile is associated with an increasing severity of illness and recent epidemics across the U.S., Canada and in Europe.

After finishing this program, healthcare professionals will be able to:

• Discuss the growing prevalence and severity of Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease (CDAD), also known as Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI)
• Specify the risk factors for acquiring CDAD
• Identify and appropriately care for patients infected with C. difficile
• Discuss strategies to prevent the transmission of C. difficile

This program incorporates best practice research and guidelines, including the Compendium of Strategies to Reduce Healthcare-Associated infections in Acute-Care Hospitals by SHEA/IDSA/HICPAC/APIC, and the SHEA/IDSA Practice Recommendation Strategies to Prevent Clostridium difficile Infections in Acute Care Hospitals.

Use this program for:

• Nursing education
• Medical staff training
• Remedial/Risk reduction education

 

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