C. difficile, a deadly hospital-acquired infection

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http://cu.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/SHI_CDiff_info_pageLatest reports and news on C. difficile, a deadly hospital-acquired infection:The number of hospital acquired C. difficile infections has jumped in recent years, more than doubling between 2001 and 2005. C. difficile bacteria is released into the hospital environment in feces. It is found on surfaces throughout hospitals and nursing homes and can be spread to patients through hand contact.  An increasing number of patients have developed antibiotic-resistant strains of the infection that are more difficult to treat and more deadly.On any given day in U.S. hospitals, 13 out of every 1,000 patients or approximately 7,178 inpatients were infected with C. difficile.New national study finds prevalence of C. difficile infections in hospitals 6.5 to 20 times higher than previous studies. Most are identified as health care acquired, indicating hospitals and nursing homes need to do more to stop the spread of these infections.High C-Difficile infection rates in U.S. hospitals: Consumers Union calls on hospitals to take more aggressive steps to protect patients from Clostridium difficileConsumers Union policy brief on hospital acquired C. difficile infections explains the problem.News coverage:Forget MRSA for a Moment, Clostridium difficile is a Growing Problem Wall Street Journal Blog (November11, 2008)Bacteria that attack guts more widespread than believed, study finds Chicago Tribune (Nov. 12, 2008)Readers write in about Clostridium difficile Triage: Chicago Tribune Blog (Nov. 16, 2008)Have you or a loved-one had an experience with C. difficile or another hospital infection?Please share your story with us. =====In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.