Study: Early detection of C.diff patients could reduce infections

Identifying Clostridiodes difficile patients upon hospital admission could reduce health care-acquired infection rates, transmissions and possibly decrease unnecessary antibiotic use, concludes an American Journal of Infection Control study. Researchers conducted a prospective study in an academic hospital between July 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2024. They identified patients at high risk for C. diff if they exhibited two of four criteria: readmission within 90 days; admission from a long-term care facility; chronic wounds present for more than 30 days; and tracheostomy, or indwelling catheters. High-risk patients were tested via stool sample. Of 3,968 patients screened on admission, 1,410 orders were placed on patients with at least two high-risk criteria. The researchers found a 26% positivity rate among 254 specimens collected and tested. (American Journal of Infection Control article, 4/11/26)