The knowledge of nurses about prevention of infections caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile

Ivana Miljković,Amajla Topuz

doi:10.5937/bii2101061m

Abstract

&lt;p&gt;Introduction. Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea, associated with the use of antibiotics. The most common ways of transmitting the infection in hospitals are contaminated surfaces of the premises and the hands of medical staff. Methods. The study involved 68 nurses/technicians employed at the University Hospital Foca in the departments of surgery and internal medicine. As a research instrument, we used a specially designed questionnaire, created by the authors for the purpose of this research. Results. The research showed that 61.8% of respondents knew that hand washing with warm water and soap was considered the most effective prevention of the spread of infections, and 55.88% meant that they used chlorine-based preparations and hydrogen peroxide as the only effective disinfectant. Nurses with a work experience of less than 5 years showed better knowledge than other groups. Conclusion. The knowledge of nurses about the prevention of C. difficile infection is not at a satisfactory level, which indicates the growing need for education of nurses.&lt;/p&gt;

Highlights

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is an anaerobic Gram-positive, sporogenic bacterium present in the soil and colon of the digestive tract of animals, healthy children and adults up to 5% of the microflora
The research showed that 61.8% of respondents knew that hand washing with warm water and soap was considered the most effective prevention of the spread of infections, and 55.88% meant that they used chlorine-based preparations and hydrogen peroxide as the only effective disinfectant
We found that 8.8% of respondents thought that Clostridium difficile causes urogenital infections, 7.4% thought that it causes wound infections, 5.9% thought that it causes respiratory infections, while 77.9% knew the correct answer or that Clostridium difficile causes infections of the gastrointestinal tract

Summary

Introduction

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is an anaerobic Gram-positive, sporogenic bacterium present in the soil and colon of the digestive tract of animals, healthy children and adults up to 5% of the microflora It is excreted in the host’s stool, and the infection is caused by spores present in the human digestive tract or by ingestion of spores and vegetative forms of the bacterium, contaminated food, water, and by dirty hands. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is acquired by ingestion of spores, usually transmitted from other patients, through the hands of medical staff and contaminated surfaces [2] The spores of this bacterium are resistant to stomach acidity, so they can germinate into a vegetative form in the small intestine. CDI usually manifests a few days after taking antibiotics [1]

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Discussion

Conclusion