The impact of the quality improvement program on Clostridioides difficile infection management: a quasi-experimental...

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of nosocomial diarrhea. This study aimed to implement a quality improvement program to expedite proper CDI treatment, including discontinuing laxatives and associated antibiotics.

Stool test results positive for CDI were automatically sent via text message to the quality improvement team, specialists in CDI management. The quality improvement team played an advisory role in this treatment. The outcome of this study was the competency of CDI treatment within 24 hours of stool test reporting. Competency was investigated using 3 different models: Model 1, initiation of CDI treatment within 24 hours of positive stool test report; Model 2, Model 1 criteria met with no concurrent laxative use; and Model 3, Model 2 criteria met with no concurrent associated antibiotics. Competency rates were compared between pre- and post-intervention periods (1 year each). Analyses were performed for inpatients with CDI.

In total, 310 inpatients with CDI (129 pre-intervention, 181 post-intervention) were included in this study. The rates of competency for Model 1 (85.3% vs. 95.6%, p= 0.006), Model 2 (81.4% vs. 92.3%, p= 0.004), and Model 3 (35.7% vs. 56.4%, p< 0.001) in the post-intervention group were higher to those in the pre-intervention group.

Quality improvement program enhanced the quality of CDI treatment in terms of prompt treatment and discontinuation of concomitant laxatives and associated antibiotics. (cris.nih.go.kr; KCT0005892).