Clostridioides difficile; painted by Stephanie Oehler

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), also known as hospital-acquired infections, are infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for other conditions in a healthcare setting. HAIs often spread in healthcare settings between patients, providers, staff, and visitors due to unclean hands or improper use of equipment. Unfortunately, HAIs are rather common, with about one in 1 in 31 hospital patients having at least one HAI on a given day. Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is one of the most common and serious hospital-acquired infections. C. diff is a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea and inflammation of the colon, posing a great risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. 1 in 11 people above the age of 65 diagnosed with C. diff infection die within one month. 

Preventing C. diff and other HAIs is essential to improving patient outcomes and saving billions of dollars in healthcare costs. By adhering to hand hygiene and personal protective equipment guidelines, visitors and healthcare teams can reduce the incidence of HAIs like C. diff. Additionally, since patients are significantly more likely to acquire C. diff while taking antibiotics and in the month following, antibiotics should only be taken when necessary and should always be taken as instructed. By adhering to public health recommendations, patients, visitors, and healthcare teams can work together to prevent the spread of HAIs.