Clostridium difficile in long-term-care facilities for the elderly

Antimicrobial agents are among the most frequently prescribed medications in long-term-care facilities (LTCFs). Therefore, it is not surprising that Clostridium difficile colonization and C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) occur commonly in elderly LTCF residents. C. difficile has been identifi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inInfection control and hospital epidemiology Vol. 23; no. 11; p. 696
Main Authors Simor, Andrew E, Bradley, Suzanne F, Strausbaugh, Larry J, Crossley, Kent, Nicolle, Lindsay E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.2002
Subjects
Aged
Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects
Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use
Canada - epidemiology
Clostridium difficile - isolation & purification
Clostridium Infections - drug therapy
Clostridium Infections - epidemiology
Cross Infection - epidemiology
Cross Infection - microbiology
Diarrhea - chemically induced
Diarrhea - epidemiology
Diarrhea - microbiology
Disease Outbreaks
Humans
Long-Term Care
Nursing Homes
United States - epidemiology
Canada
United States
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Antimicrobial agents are among the most frequently prescribed medications in long-term-care facilities (LTCFs). Therefore, it is not surprising that Clostridium difficile colonization and C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) occur commonly in elderly LTCF residents. C. difficile has been identified as the most common cause of non-epidemic acute diarrheal illness in nursing homes, and outbreaks of CDAD in LTCFs have also been recognized. This position paper reviews the epidemiology and clinical features of CDAD in elderly residents of LTCFs and, using available evidence, provides recommendations for the management of C. difficile in this setting.
ISSN:0899-823X
DOI:10.1086/501997