Non-Clostridium difficile nosocomial diarrhea in the intensive care unit.
It is assumed that most cases of nosocomial diarrhea are due to Clostridium difficile because of the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotic agents. Enteral tube feedings are another important cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). We report the results of a recent survey of patients in the ICU with nosocomial diarrhea and describe an illustrative case. We conclude on the basis of this and a previous larger study that C. difficile diarrhea is very uncommon in enterally fed patients in the ICU; nosocomial diarrhea in the ICU is most commonly caused by enteral tube feedings.
Caines
C
C
Department of Nursing, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, NY 11501, USA.
Gill
M V
MV
Cunha
B A
BA
D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male