If hospitals want to prevent Clostridium difficile infections, it's essential they adopt antimicrobial stewardship programs, according to updated guidance from five medical organizations.
In 2014, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, The Joint Commission, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and the American Hospital Association led efforts to publish a set of guidelines for hospitals to combat C. diff infections.
The latest recommendations — published April 12 in the Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology journal — elevate the adoption of an antibiotic stewardship program to an "essential practice."
"C. difficile is an urgent health threat, and hospitals need system-wide commitment to stop it," said Larry Kociolek, MD, lead author of the recommendations. "Because the use of antibiotics is strongly associated with C. difficile infections, antimicrobial stewardship — an approach to making sure these drugs are prescribed and used appropriately — is a strong first-line defense," Dr. Kociolek, vice president of system preparedness, prevention and response at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and member of SHEA, said in a statement.
The evidence-based guidance also addresses how to assess the adequacy of room cleaning, as well as procedure recommendations for cleaning equipment and the environment of patients who are infected to prevent spread.