Clostridium Difficile-Managing Diarrhea

Introduction

C lostridium difficile is an infection that attacks the colon. This infection often takes place following the eradication of the normal gut infection (CDI) using antibiotics. The natural residence of the C lostridium difficile bacteria is the human body and it could lead to severe debilitation for patients. Diarrhea experienced by most patients who end up being hospitalized is commonly caused by an anaerobic bacillus which arises from C lostridium difficile. The extended use of the antibiotics known as intestinal is the major cause of C difficile infection. This infection is one that is acquired through healthcare thus, its control and preventions are desirably paramount. As such, various health acts have demanded the prioritization of the measures directed towards the effectiveness of control and prevention of the C difficile infection. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) in England received cases of this infection that amounted to about 19600 in the year 2011. This number represented a decrease of about 16% of all the cases of Clostridium difficile infections reported previously in the year 2010. In the year 2012, a framework of operation was developed to realize a further reduction of the cases that were being reported (Mitchell et al., 2014). 

Transmission

The existence of C lostridium difficile may take the form of vegetation or a spore. The patients infected with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) are more likely to transmit the infection to other individuals by contaminating the environment through spores. The likelihood and chances of this transmission increase when the patients experience diarrhea since the primary means through which CDI is transmitted is through the fecal to oral route. This could be experienced in cases where contaminated hands are not washed thoroughly before use. The CDI spores are capable surviving in adverse environments for several months thus continues to pose risks of infection where the environment is not subjected to adequate cleaning (Aziz, 2013). 

Prevention

This portion of the patients’ tool offers guidance on appropriate resources and preventive measures in dealing with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). This infection primary takes place following the treatment of various diseases using antibiotics. As a way of preventing this infection from spreading in a community, the medical practitioners involved in the prescription of antibiotics should be subjected to a thorough auditing. Furthermore, all the healthcare practitioners should demonstrate maximum adherence the formularies meant for an antibiotic prescription and use within the community. Medical staffs and healthcare practitioner should adopt a prevention approach to CDI that is patient-centered at healthcare facilities. Such approaches would involve avoiding healthcare environments that are suspected to have been infected as well as prudent prescription and handling of antibiotics (AACN Bold Voices, 2016). 

Improving Patient Compliance in Dealing with CDI

One of the best ways in dealing with the CDI is through having measures in place that assist patients to comply with preventive requirements. In that regard, hand hygiene is desirable where hands have to be cleaned using an antimicrobial soap for a duration not less that fifteen seconds as demanded by the World Health Organization. Patients should ensure that their hands are thoroughly cleaned after coming into contact with any substance that may be contaminated as well as before using their hands to handle food or edible substances. Patients who are already infected with this infection should observe utmost hygiene before coming into contact with those that are not yet infected (Mitchell et al., 2014). 

Assessing CDI Condition/Situation and Notifying Healthcare Provider

The assessment of the condition or situation involving this infection requires the cleaning of the environment surrounding the patient daily to assist in the identification of any evidence. The isolation and cleaning records of patients must be updated on a daily basis and audits of infection control undertaken regularly. Healthcare providers should be immediately notified upon a suspicion on any contaminated environment or observation of symptoms similar to those of CDI (Aziz, 2013). 

References

AACN Bold Voices (2016). Collaboration Helps Reduce Infection Rates. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses , 9

Aziz, A. M. (2013). Nursing management of Clostridium difficile infection. Journal of Nurse Prescribing , 11 (1), 21-26.

Mitchell B. G. et al (2014). Clostridium difficile infection: nursing considerations. Nursing Standard ., 28 (47), 43-48.