NURSING

Does Hand Washing prevent the Spread of C. diff infection in Hospital Patients?



Does Hand Washing prevent the Spread of C. diff infection in Hospital Patients?

Introduction

Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea refers to diarrhoea that develops in a person who is taking or recently took antibiotics. One of the most common causes of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea is infection with a bacterium, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). C. difficile infections are most common in people who are hospitalized, affecting more than 60 hospitalized patients per 100,000 (0.06 percent) in the United States.

This topic review discusses the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of C. difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD). Other types of diarrhoea are discussed separately.

Background and Research Question

C. difficile is a bacterium that is normally found, along with hundreds of thousands of other bacteria, in the intestines of healthy people. Many of these bacteria have a role in protecting the body from infection. Taking antibiotics can kill these "good" bacteria, allowing C. difficile to multiply and release toxins that damage the cells lining the intestinal wall, causing diarrhoea and other symptoms.

C. difficile is also found on the surface of objects (e.g., door knobs, counters). In the hospital, the bacterium can be spread between patients via contact with contaminated objects and/or the hands of healthcare workers. Hand washing is important for preventing the spread of C. difficile infection.

C. difficile infections have become more frequent, more severe, more difficult to treat, and more likely to recur. Although most people become infected with C. difficile in the hospital, the infection has also become more common in the community.

Aims and Research Questions

This study aims to analyzes thet Hand Washing prevents the Spread of C. diff infection in Hospital Patients.

Following are the research questions, which will be answered in this paper.

Does Hand Washing prevent the Spread of C. diff infection in Hospital Patients?

What are the other preventions to stop the Spread of C. diff infection in Hospital Patients?

Literature Review

C. Difficile Risk Factors

A number of factors can increase a person's risk of becoming infected with C. difficile.

Current or recent hospitalization — Up to 20 percent of people who are hospitalized and up to 50 percent of people in long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes) carries C. difficile in their faces. Exposure to people who carry the bacteria significantly increases a person's risk of becoming infected.

Current or recent use of antibiotics — certain antibiotics increase the risk of becoming infected with C. difficile more than others (table 1).

Older age — The risk of becoming infected with C. difficile is 10 times greater in people who are 65 years or older.

Severe illness — People who have a weakened immune system as a result of an underlying medical condition or a treatment (e.g., chemotherapy) are at increased risk of becoming infected with C. difficile, especially during a hospital stay.

Past infection with C. difficile — People who have been infected with C. difficile previously have an increased risk of becoming infected again.

Table 1: Antimicrobial agents that may induce clostridium difficile diarrhoea and colitis

Frequently associated

Fluoroquinolones

Clindamycin

Penicillins (broad spectrum)

Cephalosporins (broad spectrum)

Occasionally ...