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Heterogeneity in practices to reduce the risk of transmission of Clostridioides difficile in healthcare settings: a survey of ESCMID Study Group for Clostridioides difficile (ESGCD) members

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Abstract

Clostridioides difficile is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections. The main objective was to assess the current landscape of CDI infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. An anonymous survey of IPC practices for CDI was conducted between July 25 and October 31, 2022. Precautions for symptomatic patients were applicable for 75.9% and were discontinued 48 h minimum after the resolution of diarrhea for 40.7% of respondents. Daily cleaning of CDI patients’ rooms was reported by 23 (42.6%). There was unexpected heterogeneity in IPC practices regarding the hospital management of CDI.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Patrick Kudyba, ESCMID for the survey diffusion.

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Conceptualization and statistical analysis: NK. Writing—original draft: NK. Writing—review and editing (alphabetic order): FB, KD, FF, BG, MK, and PV.

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Correspondence to Nagham Léa Khanafer.

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Conflict of interest

NK received scientific grants and/or consultation fees from Abbott, Astellas, BioMérieux, FINOVI, Sanofi Pasteur, and Tillotts Pharma; FF has received research grant support and been a recipient of a consultancy fee from Tillots Pharma; FB is an advisory board member for and/or has received scientific grants from Abbott, Astellas, BioMérieux, Cepheid, Cubist, Da Volterra, Danone, EliTech, Merck, Pfizer, Quidel, Sanofi Pasteur, Summit, and Tillotts Pharma; MK has no conflicts of interests; KD has received honorarium from Tillots Pharma and scientific grants from Alere, Cepheid, BioMérieux, and Techlab Ltd; BG is an advisory board member for and/or has received scientific grants from Pfizer and Tillots Pharma and PV received consulting grants from MSD, BD, Pfizer, and Tillots Pharma.

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Khanafer, N.L., Fitzpatrick, F., Barbut, F. et al. Heterogeneity in practices to reduce the risk of transmission of Clostridioides difficile in healthcare settings: a survey of ESCMID Study Group for Clostridioides difficile (ESGCD) members. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 43, 785–789 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-024-04767-1

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