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Healthcare-associated Infections due to Clostridium difficile on the Rise in California


South Pasadena, CA – WEBWIRE

Recently, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released their latest annual report of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in California hospitals.  The report analyzed data from 424 acute care hospitals during 2013.  Overall, the report showed that California hospitals had improved in controlling infections as compared to the national baselines reported by U.S. hospitals to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network.
 
The news wasn’t all good, one type of infection was shown to be on the rise.  Data indicates that Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates are on the rise.  The CDPH reported a 5% increase in CDI for 2013 as compared to 2011.
 
The CDC states that Clostridium difficile causes diarrhea linked to 14,000 American deaths each year.  The agency also reports, “People who have other illnesses or conditions requiring prolonged use of antibiotics, and the elderly, are at greater risk of acquiring this disease. The bacteria are found in the feces. People can become infected if they touch items or surfaces that are contaminated with feces and then touch their mouth or mucous membranes. Healthcare workers can spread the bacteria to patients or contaminate surfaces through hand contact.”
 
Stringent disinfection procedures and personal hygiene are essential for stopping the spread of CDI.  “One of the most effective ways to determine how well disinfection procedures are working in a healthcare environment is to perform surface sampling to look for Clostridium difficile and other common microbial pathogens,”  said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “At LA Testing, we offer environmental testing solutions to identify these pathogens, confirm surface disinfection techniques are working and to pinpoint the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred due to surface contamination issues.”  
 
LA Testing has sponsored a video about Clostridium difficile and healthcare environments that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/gsdMxDmzOMM.
 
To learn more about environmental testing for microbial pathogens or other environmental, health and safety concerns, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 
 
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.



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 Clostridium difficile
 bacteria testing services
 microbial pathogens
 CDI rates
 hospital infections


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