Title

Consultation on Surveillance and Monitoring of CIostridium Difficile Infection in Australia: Discussion Paper

Authors

Brett G. Mitchell, Avondale College of Higher EducationFollow

Author Faculty (Discipline)

Nursing

Document Type

Creative Work

NTRO Sub-type

Creative Work - Textual

Place of publication

Sydney, Australia

Publisher

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

Publication Date

4-2015

Embargo Period

6-8-2015

Scale/Significance of work

Major

Abstract

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is an infection that commonly affects hospitalised patients and people in the community. The transmission, prevention and control of CDI are complex. Internationally, the incidence of CDI has increased significantly over the past 10 years. In Australia, the epidemiology of CDI is unclear as there has been variability in the rates reported over time, with peaks and a general upward trend in the number of cases reported. Understanding the epidemiology of CDI is paramount in developing and evaluating strategies to reduce the incidence of CDI. Data from both research and surveillance systems with timely dissemination of information will enhance prevention and control strategies. In Australia to date, the current understanding of CDI has been hampered as there is no aligned, co-ordinated approach to the analysis of data collated through the jurisdictional surveillance units. Commonwealth, state and territory jurisdictions and professional organisations have developed a range of prevention and control strategies that would be enhanced by a national approach to surveillance and reporting.

Advice from clinical experts suggests the strategies required will be based primarily on the issues covered in this discussion paper: coordinated surveillance; standardisation of laboratory testing and practice; and the identification of research priorities. Communication and oversight will be imperative to ensure that Australia has a system in place that can identify and respond to changes in CDI epidemiology, and to avoid outbreaks associated with high patient morbidity and mortality.

Report Number

D14-29184

Quality Indicators

Commissioned by external body

ANZSRC / FoR Code

060502 Infectious Agents| 111002 Clinical Nursing: Primary (Preventative)| 111706 Epidemiology| 111716 Preventive Medicine| 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified

Avondale Research Centre

Lifestyle Research Centre

Reportable Items (HERDC/ERA)

Creative Work

Comments

Due to copyright restrictions this creative work is unavailable for download.

This creative work (National scholarly public policy report and discussion paper) may be accessed from the publisher Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care here.

Brett Mitchell was the lead author of this National scholarly public policy report and discussion paper.

Recommended Citation

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. (2015). Consultation on surveillance and monitoring of Clostridium difficile infection in Australia: Discussion paper. Sydney, Australia: Author.