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Clin Colon Rectal Surg 2020; 33(02): 098-108
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701234
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Hospital Infection Control: Clostridioides difficile

Authors

  • Nicholas A. Turner

    1   Duke University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Durham, North Carolina
    2   Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention, Durham, North Carolina

  • Deverick J. Anderson

    1   Duke University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Durham, North Carolina
    2   Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention, Durham, North Carolina
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
25 February 2020 (online)

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Abstract

Clostridioides difficile remains a leading cause of healthcare-associated infection. Efforts at C. difficile prevention have been hampered by an increasingly complex understanding of transmission patterns and a high degree of heterogeneity among existing studies. Effective prevention of C. difficile infection requires multimodal interventions, including contact precautions, hand hygiene with soap and water, effective environmental cleaning, use of sporicidal cleaning agents, and antimicrobial stewardship. Roles for probiotics, avoidance of proton pump inhibitors, and isolation of asymptomatic carriers remain poorly defined.

Keywords

Clostridioides difficile - infection control - infection prevention

Support Information

Nicholas Turner was supported in part by an Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group fellowship (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases UM1AI104681). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.