C.Diff
Clostridium Difficile (C.diff)
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff)
Clostridium Difficle is a nosocomial infection acquired mostly in hospitals. In 2005 it was consider the most precarious infection to bombard North American in a decade. Armed with knowledge about the infection, transmission, environmental factors, alternative treatments, prevention and ways to control C.diff healthcare workers can better be prepared to help fight the spread of this deadly infection. A
C.Diff, its transmission and environmental factors C.diff is a gram –positive, anaerobic, spore forming bacteria. It colonizes the intestinal tract of those infected after normal intestinal flora has been disrupted by antibiotic therapy. Diagnosis of C.diff is based on clinical symptoms supported by endoscopic finding or stool testing for the presence of the pathogens or toxins. Patients that has taken antibiotics within the past 3 months or a patient that has diarrhea 72 hours after hospitalization should be tested. ELISA is the test used to diagnosis C.diff. It checks for the toxin A or B or both. C.diff incubation period is 1 to 2 weeks. Asymptomatic carriage can range from severe diarrhea, pseudo membranous colitis, toxic mega colon, intestinal perforation, and death from secondary sepsis. C.diff toxin founded in stool ranges from 1% to 2% in normal population to 10% in hospital inpatients and up to 85% to 90% in patients with proven AAPMC. Some risk factors for C.diff includes being over the age of 65, patients who are immunocompromised, gastrointestinal surgery and procedures, gastrointestinal stimulants, antiperistaltic drugs and proton pump inhibitors. The transmission of C.diff can be transmitted by another patient. The transmission can be via commodes, thermometers, bedside tables, floors, and other objects in rooms used by a patient with C.diff. It can also be transmitted from the hands of healthcare workers. That’s why it’s important for healthcare
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff)
Clostridium Difficle is a nosocomial infection acquired mostly in hospitals. In 2005 it was consider the most precarious infection to bombard North American in a decade. Armed with knowledge about the infection, transmission, environmental factors, alternative treatments, prevention and ways to control C.diff healthcare workers can better be prepared to help fight the spread of this deadly infection. A
C.Diff, its transmission and environmental factors C.diff is a gram –positive, anaerobic, spore forming bacteria. It colonizes the intestinal tract of those infected after normal intestinal flora has been disrupted by antibiotic therapy. Diagnosis of C.diff is based on clinical symptoms supported by endoscopic finding or stool testing for the presence of the pathogens or toxins. Patients that has taken antibiotics within the past 3 months or a patient that has diarrhea 72 hours after hospitalization should be tested. ELISA is the test used to diagnosis C.diff. It checks for the toxin A or B or both. C.diff incubation period is 1 to 2 weeks. Asymptomatic carriage can range from severe diarrhea, pseudo membranous colitis, toxic mega colon, intestinal perforation, and death from secondary sepsis. C.diff toxin founded in stool ranges from 1% to 2% in normal population to 10% in hospital inpatients and up to 85% to 90% in patients with proven AAPMC. Some risk factors for C.diff includes being over the age of 65, patients who are immunocompromised, gastrointestinal surgery and procedures, gastrointestinal stimulants, antiperistaltic drugs and proton pump inhibitors. The transmission of C.diff can be transmitted by another patient. The transmission can be via commodes, thermometers, bedside tables, floors, and other objects in rooms used by a patient with C.diff. It can also be transmitted from the hands of healthcare workers. That’s why it’s important for healthcare
References: Copyright 2011, 2006, 2003, 1999, 1995, 1991, by Mosby, Inc Medical Surgical Nursing Care Burke-Mohn-Brown-Eby 3rd edition Copyright 2011, 2007, 2003, by Pearson Education, Inc April 11, 2005 SCI www.nurseweek.com How to Prevent C difficile Infection: A New Guide Laura A. Stokowski, RN, MS May 24, 2013