title: Audit of the laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection in the UK.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK. Richard.cooke@aintree.nhs.uk
authors.forename: R P D
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galloway
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trigg
mesh_terms: 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