Practice measures for controlling and preventing hospital associated Clostridium difficile infections

Clostridium difficile (CD) is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. We aim to highlight practice measures for controlling and preventing Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in the hospital setting. Electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Databases were searched for human studies that assessed strategic measures for the prevention of CDI. Bundled interventions can effectively reduce the rates of CDI. Current evidence support the implementation antibiotic stewardship programs, hygiene enhancement, dietary management with probiotics, use of copper surfaces, and the cautious use of PPIs. However, current guidelines do not advocate the use of copper, probiotics, or the discontinuation of PPIs as a means for reducing CDI. We review these practical and evidence-based approaches.