APIC Launches First National C. Difficile Prevalence Study

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 22 Mar 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) announced a detailed strategy to combat Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). The initiative begins with the first national prevalence study to gain a better understanding of the spread of this virulent pathogen.

C. difficile is a life-threatening bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis and is frequently associated with prolonged antibiotic use. CDAD is most commonly contracted by the elderly and those with recent exposure to hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare institutions. Over the past several years, a more toxic strain of C. difficile has emerged causing outbreaks in healthcare facilities worldwide.

"We are concerned by reports of increasing infection rates and severity of CDAD," said APIC Chief Executive Officer Kathy L. Warye. "Not only does it lead to longer hospital stays, which result in higher healthcare costs, but deaths from C. difficile infections also are on the rise. Because the true magnitude of this infection is unknown, our objective is to provide the first national estimate of C. difficile infection in inpatients in U.S. healthcare facilities."

The APIC Research Foundation C. difficile Prevalence Study will be conducted May 1 to May 23, 2008. More than 5,000 healthcare facilities are being invited to participate by providing a one-day snapshot of C. difficile infections within their institution.

Following the survey, APIC will develop a Guide to the Elimination of C. difficile, including strategies for controlling transmission as well as an educational Webinar series. The Association also will hold a conference in late 2008, featuring results of the prevalence study, along with the latest science, epidemiology and best practices for the elimination of C. difficile transmission.

"Following our positive experience in having taken a very comprehensive approach to MRSA in 2007, APIC will launch a similar aggressive fight against C. difficile in 2008," said Warye. "APIC will lead a national effort to arm infection prevention professionals with the comprehensive tools necessary to eradicate this virulent pathogen and reduce C. difficile infections. Prevention efforts are crucial because our arsenal of effective treatment agents is thin, and the organism is rapidly developing resistance."

For more information, please visit the APIC Research Foundation at http://www.apic.org.

APIC's mission is to improve health and patient safety by reducing risks of infection and other adverse outcomes. The Association's nearly 12,000 members have primary responsibility for infection prevention, control and hospital epidemiology in healthcare settings around the globe. APIC advances its mission through education, research, collaboration, practice guidance, public policy, and credentialing.

APIC Research Foundation funds and conducts studies to answer key research questions that will advance the understanding and practice of infection and control. The Foundation brings together infection prevention and control professionals (ICPs), epidemiologists, researchers, industry and other members of the healthcare community to evaluate the efficacy of infection prevention practices and evaluate new approaches to reduce the risk of infection and save lives.

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
http://www.apic.org