CDC report shows decreased C. diff infections, hospitalizations

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report published April 2 in the New England Journal of Medicine shows decreased Clostridioides difficile infection and associated hospitalizations in the United States from 2011-2017. The report says the national burden of healthcare-associated infections and hospitalizations as a result of C. diff infection decreased 36% and 24%, respectively, resulting in a 24% total reduction in the burden of C. diff infection. Efforts to improve infection prevention and antibiotic and diagnostic stewardship continue to expand across health care settings, particularly in hospitals, the report notes.