DATE: March 22, 2018
TIME: 07:00am PDT, 10:00am EDT

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a highly problematic healthcare-associated infection that is easily spread and often results in poor outcomes and high costs. Furthermore, the epidemiology of C. diff is changing, with increases in both incidence and severity in recent years. According to CDC, C. diff caused nearly half a million infections in the United States in 2011, and 29,000 deaths within 30 days of the initial diagnosis.¹

 To manage this challenging infection, a multi-faceted approach involving contact precautions, environmental cleaning, rapid diagnostics, and related strategies is required. This webinar will provide an overview of the issues surrounding C. diff and highlight novel strategies employed by the microbiology lab to support accurate diagnosis and prevention.

¹Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Clostridium difficile infection.” Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cdiff/cdiff_infect.html.  (accessed January 31, 2018).

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the impact of C. diff from a clinical and cost perspective
• Understand the epidemiology of C. diff
• Demonstrate the role of the microbiology lab in diagnosis and prevention