Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is one of the most commonly acquired infections in hospitals throughout the world. CDI is often related to antibiotic therapy, which alters the normal bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract. CDI occurs when antibiotics kill your good bowel bacteria and allow the clostridium difficile bacteria to grow. In severe cases, surgery may be needed, and in extreme cases CDI may cause death. The main symptoms of CDI are watery diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain or tenderness.
FACTSHEET from Fraser Health:
1. Should patients, or family members be concerned about being cared for at Burnaby Hospital?
Answer
No. Our staff have implemented infection control measures such as enhanced cleaning throughout the hospital to control the spread of the bacteria. We ask that all patients and visitors, along with health care providers, wash their hands frequently, especially after using the toilet and before eating. There is no need to cancel or reschedule an appointment or procedure at the hospital
2. What is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)?
Answer
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that can cause swelling and irritation of the large intestine or colon. This inflammation known as colitis, can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The infection is most common in people who are taking antibiotics while in the hospital. It is especially common in older people in hospitals, and nursing homes. It can be passed from person to person, but is usually non-life threatening.
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3. What are the symptoms?
Answer
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Diarrhea, Abdominal (belly) cramps, fever, dehydration. The illness may be so mild that you may have mild diarrhea, but no fever or cramps. In rare cases, a hole or perforation in the intestine may occur, which requires emergency surgery.
4. How is it diagnosed?
Answer
Your doctor may think you have C. difficile if both of the following are true:
You have symptoms of the illness
You are taking, or you recently took, antibiotics
To confirm the diagnosis, a stool sample will be tested to look for C. difficile.
5. How is it treated?
Answer
If possible, your doctor will ask you to stop taking the antibiotic that caused the infection. Your doctor may then treat C. difficile with an antibiotic effective against this bacterium; this antibiotic is different from the one that caused the infection. If you have severe diarrhea, you may also be given fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration.
6. How can C. difficile be prevented or reduced from spreading?
Answer
The best way to prevent the spread of C. difficile is to practice proper hand washing. Frequently cleaning hands with soap and water is preferred (or use an alcohol-based hand rub until you can wash your hands at a sink) for at least 15 seconds is the single most important way to prevent the spread of viruses. Additionally, it is imperative that families and other visitors with symptoms of diarrhea, fever or abdominal cramps consider waiting for symptom resolution before coming to the hospital to visit.
7. What is Fraser Health doing to address C. difficile?
Answer
Fraser Health’s Infection Prevention and Control team is committed to protecting the safety of patients, residents and clients by promoting excellence in the principles and practices of infection prevention and control of staff, patients and visitors through education, communication and public awareness.
Fraser Health has established a C. difficile task group at most hospitals and is actively working to reduce C. difficile.
Burnaby Hospital has started a number of initiatives to reduce C.difficile infections including an “action team” to implement recommended measures to reduce the spread.
These measures include:
Hand hygiene monitoring and education;
Review of antibiotic treatment;
Review and feedback of isolation and room sharing among patients; and
Review and improve human waste disposal processes and installation of closed waste disinfector systems.
8. Where can I get more information about C. difficile?
Answer
For general information about C.difficile-go to www.healthlinkbc.com or call 8-1-1.
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