Preventing C difficile transmission in geriatric patients
In the May 2010 edition of the
Canadian Family Physician is a Clinical Review titled
Efficacy of cleaning products for C difficile: Environmental strategies to reduce the spread of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in geriatric rehabilitation -- MacLeod-Glover and Sadowski -- by Nora MacLeod-Glover, Cheryl Sadowski that begins:
" Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most frequent cause of nosocomial
infectious diarrhea. The Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program reported an incidence
of 4.74 cases of C difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD) per 1000 patients admitted to hospital in
Canada between January 1, 2007, and April 30, 2007. In the United States, the proportion of hospital
discharges in which the patient record showed a discharge diagnosis code for CDI more than doubled
between 2000 and 2003; the overall rate during this period was several-fold higher in persons older
than 65 years of age (228/100 000) than in the 45- to 64-year-old age group (40/100 000). Incidence of
CDI has also increased in Canada and Europe. While these increases have been seen in both pediatric
and adult populations, elderly individuals have been disproportionately affected.
" The aim of this article is to describe the available evidence for the role of cleaning products in preventing the spread of CDAD in hospitals and its relevance in the elderly population receiving inpatient rehabilitation care. Additionally, evidence on the controversial issue of increased use of alcohol-based hand rubs is explored. Within the inpatient geriatric rehabilitation setting, care is provided primarily by family physicians. As such, they play an important role in providing leadership related to hospital-specific infection control guideline development and on- unit compliance with environmental infection control measures. "
For the full review, click here.
Canadian Family Physician 56(5):417-423 © 2010 by The College of Family Physicians of Canada
Efficacy of cleaning products for C difficile: Environmental strategies to reduce the spread of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in geriatric rehabilitation. Nora MacLeod-Glover, Cheryl Sadowski. Correspondence to Nora MacLeod-Glover:
nmacleodglover@bruyere.org Category: A. General/Unspecified. Keywords: Clostridium difficile, C difficile, diarrhea, transmission, geriatrics, rehabilitation, clinical review.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio Posted on Global Family Doctor 27 July 2010
