Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find commonalities of the Clostridioides difficile (C-diff) population within a hospital system, and plan interventions to decrease Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) risk. Data from hospital and community acquired C-diff patients was extracted to identify trends that potentially increased the risk for C-diff infection.
Methods: This project took place within a 423 bed community teaching hospital that encompasses 2 campuses. A retrospective chart review was conducted of C-diff confirmed patients. Data was gathered from June 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023, which produced a sample size of N=71. Inclusion criteria consisted of both hospital and community-acquired C-diff patients from both campuses, and age ≥ 18 years.
Evaluation: Collaborating with the Information Technology department allowed for data to be placed into reports so graphs and tables could be analyzed more easily. Data showed that older age, antibiotic use, proton-pump inhibitor use, and prior hospitalizations were among the trends. Another observation was the correlation between poor nutrition, ETOH history, and the gut microbiome. Many of the patients within the study had a history of either poor nutrition, lack of appetite, and alcoholism. Could adding a probiotic prophylactically aid in reducing risk of CDI? Additionally, low albumin levels were noted on admission of patients who became C-diff positive later in their hospitalization. Could screening of albumin values be useful and a standard in predicting the risk of hospital-acquired C-diff?
Notes
Reference list included in the attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Tau Beta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Acute Care, Implementation Science, Teaching and Learning Strategies, Promoting Clinical Outcomes, Clostridioides Difficile Infection, C-diff
Recommended Citation
Cooney-Newton, Karin and Thompson, Jeanne, "CNSs Represent and Respond to Decrease Risk of Clostridioides Difficile Infection" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 182.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/182
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-05
CNSs Represent and Respond to Decrease Risk of Clostridioides Difficile Infection
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find commonalities of the Clostridioides difficile (C-diff) population within a hospital system, and plan interventions to decrease Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) risk. Data from hospital and community acquired C-diff patients was extracted to identify trends that potentially increased the risk for C-diff infection.
Methods: This project took place within a 423 bed community teaching hospital that encompasses 2 campuses. A retrospective chart review was conducted of C-diff confirmed patients. Data was gathered from June 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023, which produced a sample size of N=71. Inclusion criteria consisted of both hospital and community-acquired C-diff patients from both campuses, and age ≥ 18 years.
Evaluation: Collaborating with the Information Technology department allowed for data to be placed into reports so graphs and tables could be analyzed more easily. Data showed that older age, antibiotic use, proton-pump inhibitor use, and prior hospitalizations were among the trends. Another observation was the correlation between poor nutrition, ETOH history, and the gut microbiome. Many of the patients within the study had a history of either poor nutrition, lack of appetite, and alcoholism. Could adding a probiotic prophylactically aid in reducing risk of CDI? Additionally, low albumin levels were noted on admission of patients who became C-diff positive later in their hospitalization. Could screening of albumin values be useful and a standard in predicting the risk of hospital-acquired C-diff?
Description
Learn how 2 CNSs deciphered their Clostridioides difficile population within a community hospital and their response to decrease risk of C-diff based on the identified trends. Strategies to prevent C-diff will be reviewed. This study also shows evidence that hypoalbuminemia upon admission can be a predictor of the development of hospital-acquired Clostridioides difficile.