[…] Healthcare‐associated infections surveillance report Clostridium difficile Infections (CDI) Update, Q4 2014/2015 August 2015 Summary Table Q4 2014/2015 Previous quarter Last 4 quarters Total CDI cases identified 831 482 2,186 Number of new CDI associated with the reporting facility 465 240 1,130 Total inpatient days 946,826 673,303 2,878,240 Provincial rate per 10,000 inpatient days (95% CI) 4.9 (4.5‐5.4) 3.6 (3.1‐4.0) 3.9 (3.7‐4.2) Highlights The provincial rate of new cases of CDI associated with the reporting facility increased significantly in Q4 of 2014/2015, compared to the previous quarter (Q3 of 2014/2015) and the last four quarters (Q4 of 2013/2014 – Q3 of 2014/2015). The higher provincial rate in Q4 reflects an increase in the CDI rate for certain health authorities. These health authorities have been monitoring and addressing the increase of CDI in their facilities. The overall downtrend in the provincial CDI rates from Q1 of 2009/2010 to Q4 of FY 2014/2015 was still statistically significant (trend χ 2 = 699.97, p < 0.0001). The provincial CDI surveillance program was established to monitor the incidence and trends of healthcare‐ associated CDI among patients who have been hospitalized in acute care facilities. Clostridium difficile or C. difficile is a germ that can live in the bowel without causing harm. However, if the normal bacteria in the gut are destroyed by taking certain antibiotics in high doses or over a prolonged period of time, C. difficile can grow to unusually high levels and produce toxins that can damage the bowel and cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramping, dehydration, and even death. C. difficile bacteria and their spores are shed in feces. People can acquire the bacteria if they touch surfaces (e.g., toilets, commodes, bathing tubs, and electronic rectal thermometers) contaminated with feces, and then touch their mouth. For healthy people, C. difficile does not often pose a health risk. The elderly and those with other illnesses or who are taking antibiotics are at a greater risk of developing infections. Regular hand hygiene by healthcare providers and patients is the most effective way of preventing the transmission of C. difficile in the healthcare setting. Using antibiotics wisely, keeping the environment as clean as possible (especially around ill patients), and good hand hygiene can help reduce the risk of C. difficile spreading to patients and visitors. The PICNet website (www.picnet.ca) has general information about CDI prevention and control, as well as the case definition, data sources, and limitations used to generate this report. If you have questions or suspect that you have CDI, please contact with your doctor or healthcare provider. CDI Update, Q3 2014/2015 Provincial Infection Control Network of British Columbia (PICNet) Page 2 of 6 Figure 1. Number of new cases and rate of CDI associated with the reporting...
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