Hospital Ward Antibiotic Prescribing and the Risks ofClostridium difficileInfection

Abstract

Antibiotic exposure represents the principal risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection, and existing research estimates that inpatients taking antibiotics are, on average, 60% more likely to acquire the infection.¹ Quiz Ref ID Prolonged antibiotic exposure and exposure to larger antibiotic doses are associated with increased C difficile infection risk,² and some antibiotics (clindamycin, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones) are associated with a greater risk relative to other antibiotic classes.^3,4 Risk may increase over time with increased prescribing of certain antimicrobials.⁵