Overview
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a global concern causing significant mortality and morbidity as well as spiralling healthcare costs worldwide. Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea in industrialized countries. In North America, C. difficile is present in 13 of every 1,000 hospital inpatients and the estimated annual economic burden is approximately $3.2 billion.
The Problem
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is commonly associated with prior exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics that compromise a patient's normal gut flora, allowing C. difficile to proliferate and cause toxin-mediated disease. This can proceed to serious, life-threatening conditions such as Pseudomembranous Colitis (PMC).
Consequences
CDI is a consequence of antibiotic use, which is exacerbated by inappropriate and widespread use of broad-spectrum agents. Any steps that can be implemented to effectively target narrow-spectrum antibiotic therapy would have a positive impact on the down-stream incidence of CDI as well as a substantial reduction of associated healthcare costs.
In addition, diagnostics for CDI are challenging. Traditional toxin A/B EIA tests have been identified as sub-optimal in performance and not recommended as single-line tests by various national guidelines.
More recently, molecular-based tests have become commercially available, but the latest data suggests these tests are not specific enough to be used as single-line tests. There are real concerns that these tests may overdiagnose CDI, resulting in inappropriate antimicrobial therapy and an increased likelihood of a more severe re-infection.
Rapid Testing
The latest guidelines recommend an algorithmic testing approach where glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) tests or molecular technology are used to screen patients and a sensitive toxin A/B test is used to confirm disease.
The unique C. DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE® test from Abbott (developed and manufactured by TechLab® Inc.) detects GDH and toxin A/B simultaneously in less than 30 minutes. This test has been shown by multiple peer-reviewed studies from North America, Europe and Asia to be an extremely effective tool to detect CDI.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Diseases
Featured Product
Abbott C. diff QUIK CHEK COMPLETE
QUIK CHEK COMPLETE is a rapid, accurate, and sensitive methods of screening for C. difficile are necessary to maintain good infection control measures and improve patient outcomes