Prevalence of probiotic use among inpatients: A descriptive study of 145 U.S. hospitals

Prevalence of probiotic use among inpatients: A descriptive study of 145 U.S. hospitals 

 A CDC study, published in the American Journal of Infection Control, finds that more patients are receiving probiotics as part of their inpatient hospital care.

One of the most common bacteria responsible for infections in hospitals is C. difficile. The authors of the study, Dr. Sarah H. Yi, Dr. John Jernigan, and Dr. L. Clifford McDonald, found data suggesting that hospitalized patients diagnosed with C. difficile were more likely to have received probiotics as part of their treatment. C. difficile can cause deadly diarrhea and is associated with antibiotic use and disruption of a patient’s microbiome.

The authors conclude, benefits of probiotics are still uncertain and more research is needed to better understand these products and provide guidance on their use in hospitals.

For more details and the complete study, please visit the American Journal of Infection Control.