Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI)

Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI)

This actionable evidence-based practice blueprint provides a checklist for clinicians to create an action plan to prevent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and ensure best patient care. This document is revised as needed to incorporate the latest best practices and gold standard of care. The e-book is available free of charge to anyone. © 2022 Patient Safety Movement Foundation.

Contributors:

PSMF Team PSMF Team

The Challenge

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening swelling of the colon. Patients can become infected with C. diff if they touch items or surfaces contaminated with feces and then touch their mouth or other mucous membranes. In healthcare settings, spores are primarily spread to patients by the hands of healthcare staff who have touched a contaminated surface or item. CDI impacts an estimated 500,000 Americans with approximately 29,000 associated deaths every year. Globally, its incidence rate hovers around 2.24 per 1,000 admissions annually. CDI could be minimized significantly with protocols already available and affordable in healthcare settings, including aligned incentives for antibiotic prescribing, isolation precautions, and hand hygiene. This blueprint provides actionable steps organizations should take to successfully improve CDI prevention compliance.