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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 14, 2013; 19(46): 8647-8651
Published online Dec 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i46.8647
Published online Dec 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i46.8647
Clostridium difficile-associated disease: Adherence with current guidelines at a tertiary medical center
Bryan F Curtin, Yousef Zarbalian, Resident in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
Mark H Flasar, Erik von Rosenvinge, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
Author contributions: Curtin BF and Zarbalian Y performed the majority of data collection and chart review; von Rosenvinge E was instrumental in obtaining IRB approval for the study and also provided essential oversight and editing; Flasar MH was responsible for the statistical analysis that is included in the study.
Correspondence to: Bryan F Curtin, MD, Resident in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States. bcurtin1@gmail.com
Telephone: +1-301-5384390 Fax: +1-410-3288315
Received: June 19, 2013
Revised: September 21, 2013
Accepted: September 29, 2013
Published online: December 14, 2013
Revised: September 21, 2013
Accepted: September 29, 2013
Published online: December 14, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: This study assesses a tertiary care medical center’s adherence with updated guidelines on the management of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)-associated diseases in adults. We found that overall adherence is poor, especially in patients with severe disease. Factors associated with poor adherence and limitations of current guidelines are identified. Our data suggests that educational interventions aimed at improving C. difficile guideline adherence are warranted.