About 19 percent of healthcare-related Clostridium difficile cases at a Veterans Affairs hospital and long-term care facility were linked to asymptomatic C. diff carriers, according to an article on the Healio website.
Studies demonstrated that asymptomatic carriage of toxigenic C. difficile is common in the LTCF affiliated with the Cleveland VA hospital, the researchers wrote in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
“These findings have broad implications for control of C. difficile because interfacility transfer of CDI patients occurs frequently among LTCFs and hospitals,” the study said.
“Greater emphasis on infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship in LTCFs is needed, and these efforts should focus on LTCF residents during hospital admissions.”
Mature Dry Surface Biofilm Presents a Problem for Candida Auris
Sutter Health's Arden Care Center Officially Opens
Insight Hospital and Medical Center Falls to Data Breach
The High Cost of Healthcare Violence
EVS Teams Can Improve Patient Experience in Emergency Departments