1. Predictors of Clostridium difficile colitis infections in hospitals.
- Author
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Ricciardi R, Harriman K, Baxter NN, Hartman LK, Town RJ, and Virnig BA
- Subjects
- Arizona epidemiology, California epidemiology, Clostridioides difficile isolation & purification, Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous microbiology, Geography, Hospitals, Humans, Minnesota epidemiology, Risk Factors, Urban Population, Cross Infection epidemiology, Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous epidemiology
- Abstract
Hospital-level predictors of high rates of 'Clostridium difficile-associated disease' (CDAD) were evaluated in over 2300 hospitals across California, Arizona, and Minnesota. American Hospital Association data were used to determine hospital characteristics associated with high rates of CDAD. Significant correlations were found between hospital rates of CDAD, common infections and other identified pathogens. Hospitals in urban areas had higher average rates of CDAD; yet, irrespective of geographic location, hospital rates of CDAD were associated with other infections. In addition, hospitals with 'high CDAD' rates had slower turnover of beds and were more likely to offer transplant services. These results reveal large differences in rates of CDAD across regions. Hospitals with high rates of CDAD have high rates of other common infections, suggesting a need for broad infection control policies.
- Published
- 2008
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