While recurrent Clostridium difficile is a growing problem among patients in the U.S., little information has been collected on the risk factors for contracting C. diff multiple times among those with spinal cord injuries.
According to research published in the American Journal of Infection Control, the risk of recurrent C. diff in the spinal cord-injured increases 1.39 times with the concomitant use of fluoroquinolone. A length of stay more than 90 days after an initial C. diff diagnosis was also a significant risk factor for developing the infection a second time.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
Conversely, cerebrovascular accidents and concomitant use of tetracycline were associated with reduced risks of recurrent C. diff, reducing the possibility of contracting the infection a second time by 0.35 times and 0.46 times, respectively.
Researchers concluded C. diff prevention should focus on reducing risk factors among the spinal cord-injured patient population.
More Articles on Quality:
Study: Lung Infection Screens Could Improve COPD Treatment
9 Statistics on the State of Infection Prevention in NHSN Hospital ICUs
5 Infection Control Stories From PDI