title: Using the Waterlow tool to predict Clostridium difficile infection risk in hospital settings.
abstract: C difficile is the most important cause of infectious healthcare acquired diarrhoea and risk of infection is a public concern. Many acute and primary care trusts are working to further reduce rates of C difficile and targets have been set. Global reduction strategies include prudent antibiotic prescribing and intensive cleaning programmes. While risk assessment tools for C difficile exist, they are not easy to use in hospital. This article introduces an inexpensive and easy to use assessment tool and outlines how nurses can apply a reduction strategy using it to identify patients who are at risk on admission and then target interventions to reduce this risk.
authors.affiliation: De Montfort University.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Timmons
mesh_terms: D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology