New Study Finds C. diff Infections Dramatically Increase Hospital Stays and Costs

A new study recently published in the American Journal of Infection Control provides some remarkable insights into the health of patients and costs associated with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) due to Clostridium difficile (C. diff). 

The study examined over 170,000 patients from 2009 through 2011 who had been discharged from hospitals across the United States. The patients had all had C. diff-associated diarrhea (CDAD). According to the findings, C. diff infections increased hospital costs by 40%, the chances of re-admittance by 77% and prolonged hospital stays by 55%. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that as recently as 2011, C. diff infections were estimated to have caused almost half a million infections in the United States and that 29,000 people died within 30 days of their initial diagnosis.  

People with other illnesses or conditions requiring prolonged use of antibiotics, and the elderly, are at greater risk of acquiring this infection. When a person takes antibiotics, other microorganisms that protect against infections are eliminated for a period of time. During this period, patients can get sick from C. diff picked up from contaminated surfaces or spread from a healthcare provider’s hands. 

“C. diff is shed in feces so any surface, device or material that becomes contaminated may serve as a reservoir for the organism’s spores which can survive for long periods of time,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The spread of C. diff in healthcare environments is one of the most significant challenges facing infection control professionals today. At EMSL Analytical, we provide environmental surface testing services to help identify C. diff and other superbugs to help protect patients and control medical costs.”

EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about C. diff and how it spreads that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Q9WOllEethY. 

To learn more about indoor environmental testing for C. diff or other microbial pathogens, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

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Joseph Frasca

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EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 8563032503

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