Abstract

BACKGROUND: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections that negatively impacts patient care and healthcare costs. This study takes a unique approach to C. difficile infection (CDI) control by investigating key prevention obstacles through the perspectives of Stanford Health Care (SHC) frontline healthcare personnel.METHODS: An anonymous qualitative survey was distributed at SHC, focusing on knowledge and practice of CDI prevention guidelines, as well as education, communication, and perspectives regarding CDI at SHC.RESULTS: 112 survey responses were analyzed. Our findings unveiled gaps in personnel's knowledge of C. difficile diagnostic guidelines, and revealed a need for targeted communication and guideline-focused education. Healthcare staff shared preferences and recommendations, with the majority recommending enhanced communication of guidelines and information as a strategy for reducing CDI rates. The findings were then used to design and propose internal recommendations for SHC to mitigate the gaps found.DISCUSSION: Many guidelines and improvement strategies are based on strong scientific and medical foundations; however, it is important to ask whether these guidelines are effectively translated into practice. Frontline healthcare workers hold empirical perspectives that could be key in infection control.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the importance of including frontline healthcare personnel in infection prevention decision-making processes and the strategies presented here can be applied to mitigating infections in different healthcare settings.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.08.008

View details for PubMedID 37579972