Clostridium difficile toxin testing by National Health Service (NHS) acute Trusts in England: 2008–2013. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gerver, S.M.; Johnson, A.P.; Hope, R.J.
• Is Part Of: Clinical microbiology and infection. Volume 21:Number 9(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 850.e1
• Page End: 850.e4
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Clostridium difficile -- England -- objectives -- stool samples -- toxin testing; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Diagnostic microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.04.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1198-743X

Abstract

Abstract: In October 2007, a governmental 3-year target to reduce Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) by 30%, with financial penalties levied for failure, was introduced in England. This target was met within just 1 year, leading to speculation of 'gaming', with hospitals empirically treating possible CDI in the absence of a microbiological diagnosis, to avoid having to report confirmed cases. An analysis of aggregate mandatory data on levels of testing for C. difficile toxin showed little evidence of a fall in testing during the steepest infection rate reductions, suggesting that this was not a major factor in the decline in CDI.