Rate of Potentially Deadly Infection Increases by 200% in U.S. Hospitals
New figures released by the federal government have revealed a steep and potentially deadly spike of a serious, hospital-based infection that gives patients blood poisoning and sometimes incurable diarrhea. This latest public health research data, released by the U.S.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) shows an increase of 200% in the prevalence of Clostridium difficile (C. Diff.) infections among U.S. hospital patients between the years of 2000 and 2005.
AHRQ tracked more than 2 million cases of C. difficile in U.S. hospitals between 1993 and 2005. According to its data, this latest jump follows a 74% increase in the number of cases from 1993 to 2000.
C. difficile can cause either mild diarrhea or more deadly symptoms that can be treated only by surgically removing the colon. In 2005, 2/3 of all infected patients were found to be elderly.
Patients, visitors and hospital workers unknowingly carry C. difficile spores on their hands, and spread it when they touch objects, including hospital beds, equipment and doors. Unlike other bacteria, C. difficile spores can not be killed by using alcohol hand sanitizers. They can be destroyed with bleach.
Patients who have lost control of their bowels and those who have been treated for the infection before are the most likely carriers, experts have found, but C. difficile bacteria are commonly spread to other patients by unhygienic practices in hospitals.
In this latest AHRQ study, patients with C. difficile were found to have been hospitalized 3 times longer than uninfected patients, and 9.5% died in the hospital, compared with only 2.1% of patients who died overall. Like other deadly bacteria, C. difficile can acquire resistance to vancomycin -- a powerful, "last resort" antibiotic -- making treatment of the infection difficult or impossible.
Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:
- Evidence that rates of C. diff. have doubled from 1993 from 2003
- Patient safety tips to promote cleanliness in hospitals
- Why MRSA infection rates in U.S. ER departments are triggering widespread concern
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