AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Comprehensive Hospital Program Significantly Reduces C. Difficile Infections

Comprehensive Hospital Program Significantly Reduces C. Difficile Infections

Summary
Faced with an increase in the number of Clostridium difficile (commonly known as C. difficile) infections, University Community Hospital in Tampa implemented a comprehensive program to reduce environmental transmission of the bacterium. Key program elements include contact isolation for suspected and confirmed cases, use of a bleach cleaning solution on all potentially contaminated surfaces, vigorous hand hygiene, distribution of educational information to patients and visitors, use of daily automated reports on the status of all infected patients, and formulary restrictions on use of certain antibiotics known to increase risk of infection. The program led to a 66-percent reduction in the monthly rate of C. difficile cases during the 2-year study period, with further reductions after the study ended.

Evidence Rating
Moderate: The evidence consists of a before-and-after comparison of the hospital's monthly C. difficile infection rate.

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AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Comprehensive Hospital Program Significantly Reduces C. Difficile Infections