A recent study showed that nursing home negligence could be the culprit in an increased number of illnesses and deaths resulting from the bacterial infection Clostridium difficile. According to the Center for Disease Control, 94 percent of the recent cases of this potentially fatal diarrhea-inducing illness have been linked with receiving health care. Additionally, 75 percent of these cases were first seen in nursing homes. The cause could be a failure of staff to adhere to proper protocol regarding preventative measures.

There are several preventative measures aside from thorough hand washing that can lead to preventing additional cases of Clostridium difficile. The first preventative measure is for doctors to use discretion when prescribing antibiotics. While antibiotics do a lot of good, they also kill the good bacteria that can prevent infection and should only be used when necessary. Patients, including the elderly in Ohio, could be more at risk for infection while on, or recently after taking, antibiotics.

Additionally, doctors should always wear gloves and a gown when inspecting patients that could be infected with Clostridium difficile. They should also not shake hands with a person suspect of being infected because this contact could transmit the disease to others.

Finally, if a patient is found to be infected, they should be isolated to prevent further spreading. The exam room the patient occupied should also be thoroughly cleaned with chemicals approved to kill the potentially-deadly spore.

It appears that as of late these preventative measures have not been adequately adhered to. Patients that are advanced in age may already be susceptible to illness. It is critical that care takers in nursing homes take the appropriate preventative measure to keep all patients in good health. When doctors fail to adhere to procedure and take all precautions necessary, death and severe consequences can result.

Source: American Medical News, "C. diff causes concern in primary care, other outpatient settings," Christine S. Moyer, Mar. 19, 2012