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QualityTool

Toolkit for Reduction of Clostridium difficile Infections Through Antimicrobial Stewardship


Related QualityTool:
Antimicrobial Stewardship Toolkit

Description

The aim of this toolkit is to assist hospital staff and leadership in developing an effective antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) with the potential to reduce Clostridium difficile infection (C. difficile). An ASP is a systematic approach to developing coordinated interventions to reduce overuse and inappropriate selection of antibiotics, and to achieve optimal outcomes for patients in cost-efficient ways.

This toolkit is organized by four major questions and multiple supporting questions that will guide hospitals through the full process of developing, implementing, and sustaining an ASP for C. difficile. Each question has detailed discussion of the issues to be considered and references to tools and resources that will support the stewardship initiative. The four questions are:
  1. Is our organization ready for an ASP to assist with C. difficile reduction efforts?
  2. How do we determine which interventions for reducing C. difficile to implement?
  3. How do we monitor the intervention and measure outcome?
  4. How do we sustain the ASP for reducing C. difficile over time?
This toolkit is designed as a companion to the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program toolkit developed by the Greater New York Hospital Association and the United Hospital Fund for the New York State Department of Health, which supports the basic development and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship.

Links to the Tool:
This tool is available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/cdifftoolkit/

Developer

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Boston University School of Public Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Greater New York Hospital Association; Montefiore Medical Center; United Hospital Fund

Funding Sources

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services


QualityTool Topic

Patient/Medication safety; Quality improvement strategies


History

  • Release Date: 09/2012
  • Original Summary: 11/2012
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QualityTool Classification

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IOM Domains of Quality:
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Last updated: November 21, 2012.