Health care–associated Clostridioides difficile infection: Learning the perspectives of health care workers to build successful strategies

Abstract

Clostridioides difficile (C difficile) is one of the most common health care-associated infections that negatively impact patient care and health care 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 health care personnel. 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. 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. Health care 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. 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 health care workers hold empirical perspectives that could be key in infection control. Our findings emphasize the importance of including frontline health care personnel in infection prevention decision-making processes and the strategies presented here can be applied to mitigating infections in different health care settings.