Esteban works in a nursing home and notices that quite a few patients have had episodes of C. difficile diarrhea (CDD), which he knows to be one of the most common types of infectious diarrheas in the U.S. Why might CDD be so common in nursing homes?
CDD is associated with the eradication of native intestinal flora with broad-spectrum antimicrobials and overuse of PPI and H2 blocker therapy.
Staff are typically overworked and may be tired and careless, so patients do not get needed toileting assistance.
The poor personal hygiene of habits of some patients, particularly those with dementia, increases everyone's risk.