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Healthcare-Associated Infections Not Limited to Hospitals

IDPH, working with hospitals across the state and the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative, is participating in CDC efforts to reduce healthcare-associated infections.

A CDC report released today indicates infections from Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), a bacteria that causes diarrhea and other health issues, is a patient safety concern in all types of medical facilities, not just hospitals as traditionally thought.

“According to the CDC’s Vital Signs report, 94 percent of C. difficile infections are related to medical care,” said Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “It’s important that health care providers keep this in mind in their practices, and also that individuals take personal action to prevent the spread of this bacteria.” There are easy ways Iowans can help reduce the number of C. difficile infections:

  • Take antibiotics only as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Tell your doctor if you develop diarrhea within a few months of taking antibiotics.
  • Wash your hands after using the bathroom.
  • Try to use a separate bathroom if you have diarrhea.

IDPH, working with hospitals across the state and the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative, is participating in CDC efforts to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAI).According to data reported to the CDC, 61 percent of Iowa healthcare facilities have reported at least one HAI, including C. difficile. The IDPH HAI Prevention Plan outlines state efforts to reduce healthcare-associated infections. For more information on the IDPH HAI Plan, visitwww.idph.state.ia.us/hai_prevention/plan.asp. To learn more about C. difficile, visit www.cdc.gov/HAI/organisms/cdiff/Cdiff_infect.html.

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