We assessed appropriateness of preceding and concurrent antibiotics in 126 consecutive patients with hospital-associated Clostridium difficile infection. In 93 (73.8%) episodes, at least 1 preceding course of antibiotics was inappropriate. We provided feedback on concurrent antibiotics on the day of diagnosis during the final 8 months: 17 of 74 (23.0%) patients were on inappropriate antibiotics. Our recommendations were well received. Reviewing C difficile-infected patients allowed for identification of opportunities to improve antibiotic utilization and potentially improved patient outcomes.
Keywords: Antimicrobial stewardship; Health care-associated infection; Quality improvement.
Copyright © 2013 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.