Fast Facts about Clostridium Difficile (C. diff)
Recently there has been a lot of talk in the news and neighborhoods about hospital infections. So, we’ve created this section of our web site to answer some of your questions, listen to your concerns and keep you informed with updates and announcements. After all, your health and safety are why we are here.
Much of the recent news has been about a bacterium called Clostridium difficile (or “C. diff”) It is the major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis, an infection of the intestines. The bacterium,which already lives in the bodies of some people, multiplies when doses of antibiotics disturb the natural balance of germs in the body - causing severe complications for the elderly and those already suffering a serious illness.
What is it? Clostridium difficile is a serious bacteria associated with diseases ranging from severe diarrhea to colitis and sepsis.
Symptoms: For mild to moderate disease, watery diarrhea three or more times a day for two or more days; mild abdominal cramping and tenderness. For severe disease, watery diarrhea 10 to 15 times a day, severe abdominal cramping and pain, fever, blood or puss in the stool, nausea, dehydration, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Causes: The bacteria is passed in feces and spread to food, surfaces and objects. The majority of cases occur in health-care settings.
Risk factors: Taking antibiotics; being 65 or older; being hospitalized recently; living in a nursing home; having aserious underlying illness or weakened immune system; having recent abdominal surgery or a gastrointestinal procedure; having a colon disease.
Treatment: Certain antibiotics and probiotics are often used to restore a healthy balance to the intestinal tract; removal of the diseased portion of the colon in severe cases. (Sources: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.)
What is UMMC doing to prevent the spread of this bacteria? We moved patients who require similar nursing care to the same unit. This will help us in caring for them more efficiently and prevent the transmission of contagious illnesses. It does not mean that they all have contracted the illness, but with a greater number of patients there is a greater risk and we want to reduce that risk as much as possible. We have also provided our staff with additional education and frequent updates regarding changes.
We reported the increase in patients with C. diff in a timely manner to the New York State Department of Health. By doing so, we have had full access to lab testing at Wadsworth Specialty Lab, as well as expert advise from the specialists at the Department of Health Hospital unit. To date, they have commended us on our response.
Does UMMC have a history of these infections? No. Our employees have worked very hard to achieve an excellent track record of infection rates that fall far below the national average. In 2010, there were six months with zero incidents of hospital acquired C.diff, including the last five consecutive months of the year. Our overall rate of infection for hospital acquired C.diff are 0.6/1000 patient days. In fact, we are fortunate to have a full-time Infection Control Manager, Lorri Goergen, on our staff. Lorri is well respected in her field and was invited by the Canadian Government to assist in assessing the SARS outbreak in Toronto in 2003.
Recently United Memorial Medical Center received a certificate of appreciation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion for “Outstanding Contribution to the 2010 Emerging Infections Program Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Use Prevalence Survey.”
What can I do to prevent the spread of disease? You should always remember to wash your hands with soap and water before and after visiting the hospital.
If you have any questions, please contact us at contactus@ummc.org.