MDs, hospitals face tough C. diff. battle

While MRSA gets most of the popular press, providers have other superbugs to tame too. One that seems to be on the loose is Clostridium difficile (C. diff.), which has mutated into an unusually dangerous strain of late. C. diff. thrives in unsanitary conditions, but also in response to antibiotic treatments, the mechanism by which 90 percent of C. diff. patients get ill. Once contracted, C. diff is resistant to almost all antibiotics.

Since C. diff usually originates in hospitals, and is seen as preventable, Medicare may soon add it to its list of "no-pay" events. Medicare hopes to see hospitals to help fight spread of the disease by doing more to disinfect surface, encourage handwashing and ensuring that garments are sterile. Quality experts are also looking at ways to discourage the overprescription of antibiotics.

To learn more about C. diff strategies:
- read this Orlando Sentinel piece

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Study: C. diff infections, deaths up in hospitals. C. diff news

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