title: Clostridium difficile infection: nursing considerations.
abstract: Clostridium difficile is a bacterium which commonly causes diarrhoea in inpatients. C. difficile affects hospitalised patients worldwide and can pose a significant risk to patients. This article explores the transmission and risk factors for C. difficile infection (CDI). There are many aspects to the prevention and control of CDI: appropriate antibiotic use, early instigation and maintenance of prevention and control strategies, and high standards of environmental cleanliness, education, and surveillance. This article discusses the role of the nurse in each of these prevention and control activities.
authors: Faculty of Nursing and Health, Avondale College of Higher Education, Wahroonga, Australia.
authors: Brett G
authors: BG
authors: Mitchell
authors: Phillip L
authors: PL
authors: Russo
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Race
mesh_terms: D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea; Clostridium difficile; infection prevention and control; nosocomial infection; surveillance