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Updated: Jan 19, 2026
A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
Clostridium Difficile: Reducing Infections Using an Evidence-Based Practice Initiative
Carol S R Nielsen1, Rocio Sanchez-Vargas1, April Perez1
1Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Background:
Nosocomial Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections are adverse incidents that affect immunocompromised hospitalized patients. High-touch surface areas within the patient's environment are frequently overlooked and are a source of microscopic bacterial transmission.
Objectives:
This article examines whether the use of a standardized protocol for cleaning high-touch surface areas would reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired C. difficile infection.
Methods:
The initiative targeted five high-touch surfaces, and nurses were educated about these findings. Baseline data on the C. difficile infection rate was collected from four specialty medical-surgical oncology units. A pilot period of the Five by Five initiative evaluated C. difficile infection rates after staff cleaning of these high-touch surfaces.
Findings:
This initiative accounted for a statistically significant reduction in C. difficile infections. The use of a standardized cleaning initiative was effective in reducing C. difficile infections. Nursing staff perceived that the education was easy to remember and supported efficient implementation.
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