Recognizing and managing Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.
Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea poses a significant physical risk and cost to the recovery of hospitalized older adults. C. difficile is responsible for 75% or more of the diarrhea-associated enteric infections acquired during a hospital stay (Gerding, Johnson, Peterson, Mulligan, & Silva, 1995). C. difficile is easily spread by direct or indirect contact, therefore placing other patients at great risk for contamination by this organism. Nursing plays a significant role in early identification, management, and control of the spread of this potentially lethal infection.
Miller
J M
JM
College of Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Walton
J C
JC
Tordecilla
L L
LL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012307:Risk Factors