Audit of the laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection in the UK.
A UK-wide audit of the laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) was undertaken by the Association of Clinical Pathologists and the Royal College of Pathologists, in conjunction with Keele University. A postal questionnaire was sent out to all Consultant Microbiologists, with eighty responses available for analysis. There was considerable variation in laboratory practices. In particular, only 56% of laboratories gave guidance on follow-up testing of toxin-negative samples, 68% provided a 7 day per week diagnostic service and 66% would routinely communicate positive inpatient toxin results to ward nursing or just medical staff. To ensure a consistent approach to the diagnosis of CDI, laboratories require more detailed and prescriptive guidance than is currently available.
Cooke
R P D
RP
Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK. Richard.cooke@aintree.nhs.uk
Collins
J
J
Galloway
A
A
Holland
D
D
Trigg
G
G
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D013222:State Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom