CDC: C. diff Caused Half a Million Infections in a Single Year

The CDC has released a new study that reveals Clostridium difficile (or C. diff) caused almost half a million infections in U.S. patients in a single year.

Of those infected, 29,000 died within 30 days of their initial diagnosis. Fifteen thousand of those deaths are estimated to be directly attributable to C. diff infection. Of particular concern for long-term care, more than 80 percent of the deaths associated directly with C. diff occurred in adults 65 years or older and more than 100,000 cases develop in nursing homes each year.

C. diff causes colon inflammation and deadly diarrhea. Infection can occur through touching surfaces or items that are contaminated with feces. C. diff is shed through feces.

The new CDC study revealed that one out of every five patients with healthcare-associated C. diff experienced a recurrence of the infection and one out of every nine patients aged 65 or older died within 30 days of diagnosis.

The CDC noted that these infections can be prevented by improving infection control and antibiotic prescribing.

To read the press release, click here.

OSHA: Heavily Soiled Linens Are Not Regulated Waste

OSHA has confirmed that LTC facilities and other healthcare providers are not required to dispose of contaminated linen as "regulated waste" and that OSHA's regulatory standard governing regulated waste is not meant to apply to linens that are laundered and reused.

OSHA examined the issue after it was brought to the agency's attention by the Association for Linen Management (ALM) and American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA). They were concerned about the practice of placing heavily soiled linens in red bags, which is a sign to laundry operators that the bags must go to a waste department for disposal.

Rather than placing the linens in red bags, the ALM recommends that facilities place heavily soiled linens in impermeable bags so that they do not leak on the way to the laundry.

ALM noted that some facilities place linens contaminated by residents with C. diff in the red bags because they believe the infection is so virulent that the linens must be destroyed rather than washed. This is not the case, according to the ALM. Instead, the linens can be laundered using the requirements set by CMS.

To learn more, click here.

FDA Moves to Fast-Track C. diff Treatments

The FDA has proposed a regulation that would fast-track potential treatments for C. diff, calling the infection a serious public health threat.

The proposed rule would enact a provision of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act of 2012 known as Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now, or GAIN. The provision allows fast-tracked review of antibiotics and antifungal drugs designed to treat especially dangerous pathogens. It would also extend the market exclusivity of these drugs by five years.

C. diff is one of 18 pathogens that have been identified for GAIN inclusion.

To learn more, click here.

Probiotics Can Reduce C. diff Symptoms By 64%

It might be time to reach for the yogurt. Researchers have found that probiotics can reduce the risk of C. diff-associated symptoms by 64 percent among people who are taking antibiotics. Probiotics are small organisms that help maintain the gut's natural balance of organisms in the intestines. 

Probiotics appear to help prevent the diarrhea associated with C. diff infections. However, while they can eliminate symptoms of a C. diff infection, probiotics do  not appear to reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with the bacteria. 

To learn more, click here. 

Study: Kidney Disease Tied to Increase Risk of C. Diff Death

Researchers at the Alfred Einstein School of Medicine's Jacobi Medical Center have found that C. diff is especially deadly for people who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

The researchers also found that combining metronidazole and oral or rectal vancomycin was more effective than monotherapy drug treatment for the ESRD patients with C. diff. ESRD patients were also more likely to have a relapse of C. diff infection within two months. An increased risk of relapse was seen with monotherapy drug treatment. 

To learn more, click here.

C. diff Rates Skyrocket

A new report from the CDC shows that Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, has reached unacceptably high rates. Between 1999 and 2000, only 3,000 C. diff-related deaths were reported. That figure climbed to 14,000 between 2006 and 2007.

C. diff is particularly worrisome for long-term care. Seventy-five percent of facility-acquired cases first show up in nursing homes and more than 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 and older.

The CDC recommends taking the following six steps to halt the spread of C. diff in your facility:

1. Prescribe and use antibiotics carefully.
2. Test for C. diff when residents have diarrhea while on antibiotics or within several months of taking them.
3. Immediately isolate residents with C. diff.
4. Wear gloves and gowns when treating residents with C. diff. Keep in mind that hand sanitizer does not kill C. diff and handwashing may not be sufficient.
5. Clean room surfaces with bleach or another EPA-approved, spore-killing disinfectant.
6. If the ill resident is transferred, notify the new facility that the resident has C. diff.

To read the CDC report, click here.