title: Prevalence of Clostridium difficile on a mixed-function ward for the elderly.
abstract: We studied the prevalence of Clostridium difficile over a period of 2 months on a mixed-function geriatric ward. Seven (14%) of the 49 patients were long-stay but the remainder were in hospital for acute illness or required a short period of active rehabilitation. Although 69% patients had recently received antibiotics, from only two (4%) was C. difficile isolated from their faeces. Our results show that C. difficile is not endemic in patients on all geriatric wards as has been previously suggested.
authors: Department of Medicine (Elderly), St James's University Hospital, Leeds, U.K.
authors: O J
authors: OJ
authors: Corrado
authors: B H
authors: BH
authors: Mascie-Taylor
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Hall
authors: R P
authors: RP
authors: Bolton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010362:Patients' Rooms / Q000145:classification / Q000458:organization & administration