Risk Factors for the Development of <i>Clostridium difficile</i> -Associated Diarrhea During a Hospital Outbreak

Abstract

The results suggest that control of nosocomial C difficile-associated diarrhea may be attained by minimizing the administration of antibiotics, avoidance of high-risk antibiotics, and having a high index of suspicion of C difficile-associated diarrhea in patients who develop diarrhea after gastrointestinal surgery. Perioperative administration of metronidazole, when given with other antibiotics, failed to protect against the development of C difficile-associated diarrhea.