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A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
12:58

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: May 25, 2017

Inappropriate use of antibiotics and Clostridium difficile infection

Jocelyn A Srigley1, Annie Brooks, Melani Sung

  • 1Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Infection Prevention and Control, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

American Journal of Infection Control
|August 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Most hospital-associated Clostridium difficile infection cases involved inappropriate preceding antibiotic use. Providing timely feedback on concurrent antibiotics improved appropriate prescribing, highlighting opportunities to enhance antibiotic stewardship and patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology
  • Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hospital-associated Clostridium difficile infection (HA-CDI) is a significant healthcare challenge.
  • Antibiotic use is a primary risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection.
  • Optimizing antibiotic prescribing is crucial for infection control and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the appropriateness of preceding and concurrent antibiotic regimens in patients with HA-CDI.
  • To assess the impact of feedback on concurrent antibiotic use on prescribing patterns.
  • To identify opportunities for improving antibiotic utilization in HA-CDI management.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 126 consecutive patients diagnosed with HA-CDI.
  • Assessment of the appropriateness of antibiotic courses preceding and concurrent with CDI diagnosis.
  • Implementation of a feedback system for concurrent antibiotic use during the final 8 months of the study period.

Main Results:

  • Inappropriate preceding antibiotic courses were identified in 73.8% (93/126) of HA-CDI episodes.
  • During the feedback period, 23.0% (17/74) of patients received inappropriate concurrent antibiotics.
  • Physician feedback on concurrent antibiotic recommendations was positively received.

Conclusions:

  • A high proportion of HA-CDI cases are associated with inappropriate preceding antibiotic use.
  • Timely feedback on concurrent antibiotic therapy can improve prescribing appropriateness.
  • Systematic review of CDI cases offers valuable insights for antibiotic stewardship programs and improved patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial stewardshipHealth care-associated infectionQuality improvement

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