Ethics in Medicine

Clostridia Dificile on the Rise

Kristen Sparrow • November 21, 2012

We’ve been discussing C.Dif (Clostridia Dificile) in the context of encouraging good bacteria.  This is from the most recent Anesthesiology Today.

Dramatic Rise in Hospital Visits for C. Difficile
by George Ochoa
Despite efforts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and antimicrobial stewardship programs to combat Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs), the national rate of hospitalizations related to these infections is projected to more than double from 2001 to 2012, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
“From 2001 to 2010, the national rate of C. difficile hospitalizations per 1,000 nonmaternal adult discharges rose from about 5.6 to 11.5. The projected rate climbed to 12.5 in 2011 and is projected to climb to 12.8 in 2012.