Clostridium Difficile-Associated Disease In The Long-Term Care Setting

Healthcare professionals who work in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) should be aware of the emergence of a new strain of Clostridium difficile that produces greater quantities of toxins A and B, is more resistant to fluoroquinolones, and is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality.

Commonly seen in residents of LTCFs, it is urgent that medical directors, consultant pharmacists, and registered nurses who work in these facilities learn about the changing epidemiology of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD), the epidemic strain of C. difficile, and the characteristics of patients with CDAD, especially the markers associated with more severe disease.

Connecting Tags; Medicaid, Medicare, long term care, fan-the-flame, copower, prosynergy