Reducing Hospital Acquired Clostridiodes Difficile (C-Diff)

Clostridiodes difficile (C-Diff) is attributed as the most prevalent hospital associated infection in the United States and worldwide. The infection is caused by bacterial flora spores when they proliferate due to a medical treatment or condition. In 2017, there were an estimated 223,900 cases of C-Diff in hospitalized patients which lead to 12,800 patient deaths. Besides the death caused to patients, hospital acquired C-Diff infection cost healthcare facilities $1 billion in unreimbursed patient care. The aim of this interprofessional initiative was to reduce hospital associated C-Diff in a multi facility healthcare system in the Midwest. This aim was achieved through interprofessional collaborative efforts in disinfection practices, antibiotic prescribing, and testing for detection of C-Diff. Representatives from nursing, pharmacy, medicine and environmental services all collaborated as team members to achieve the project aim. This presentation will describe the intervention which instituted new environmental cleaning agents, prescribing guidance and education, and clinical validation of C-Diff testing appropriateness. As a result of this interprofessional intervention C-Diff SIR rates decreased for the healthcare system. This reduction allowed the aggregate healthcare system to achieve performance that reduced the risk of further HAC penalty which it had incurred in past fiscal years. The authors will describe the intervention and discuss how successful implementation can be done at facilities throughout the country.