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September 4, 2014
Coinciding with Healthy Aging Month, area healthcare organization intent on educating North Texans, particularly seniors, about prevention of serious bacterial infection
IRVING, TEXAS (September 5, 2014) — The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation, which unites North Texas hospital and industry leaders to advance quality healthcare in the region, has announced the launch of its fall 2014 public awareness campaign about “C-diff,” a type of acute diarrhea caused by the Clostridium difficile bacteria. The bacterial infection, which is linked to 20,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, is more prevalent among senior citizens, particularly those who take antibiotics and receive medical care.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
– 20,000 Americans die each year from complications related to C-diff
– 1 in 5 North Texans may carry the C-diff germ
– 50% of antibiotics are given out are unnecessary
– 94% of C-diff infections are related to receiving medical care
– 400% increase in C-diff-related deaths since 2000
– Half of the infections occur in people under 65, but most of deaths occur with those 65 and older
The symptoms of C-diff may include abdominal pain or tenderness, cramping, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and especially watery diarrhea throughout the day and for consecutive days.
“With September being Healthy Aging Month, now is a perfect time to launch this C-diff campaign and help bring more awareness to a very serious health concern in our community,” DFW Hospital Council Foundation President Kristin Jenkins, JD, FACHE, said. “When someone takes antibiotics, good germs that protect against infection may be destroyed, so we hope our efforts will empower both patients and physicians to use antibiotics judicially in order to minimize the risk of C-diff infections.”
C-diff is the leading cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized patients, disproportionately affecting older adults as well as patients in long‐term and specialty care facilities. The exposure risks are increased by use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, gastrointestinal procedures, and for those with serious underlying health or immune-compromising conditions.
As 1 in 5 North Texans is a possible carrier of the C-diff germ, which is spread via fecal contamination, the best way to protect yourself, your family and community from C-diff is to:
– Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom. (Hand gel is not enough.)
– Take only appropriately prescribed antibiotics. (Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about the need for any prescribed antiobiotic.)
– Wipe down bathroom and other living area surfaces with bleach, particularly when caring for a loved one who has C-diff.
For more information about C-diff and tips to prevent it, visit StopCDiffNow.org. To learn more about the DFW Hospital Council Foundation, its mission and members, visit dfwhcfoundation.org.
About the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation
The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation unites North Texas hospitals and industry leaders to advance quality healthcare in the region. With more than 44 years of collaboration, the DFW Hospital Council is one of the leading hospital councils in the country and the only hospital council in Texas. Driven by elite members, the DFW Hospital Council and its foundation provide educational sessions, networking opportunities and competitive intelligence. To learn more, visit dfwhcfoundation.org, or follow us on LinkedIn.
This public awareness campaign is brought to you by the DFWHC Foundation Hospital Engagement Network, under contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Contract #HHSM-500-2012-0025.
Media Contact:
Chris Wilson
The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council
(972) 719-4900
chrisw@dfwhc.org
Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation is your health headquarters. We work to unite North Texas hospital and industry leaders to advance quality healthcare in our region. With over 45 years of collaboration, we are working together to raise the level of awareness around health concerns like C-diff that affect the health and well-being of our community. LEARN MORE >
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The enclosed material was prepared and assembled by DFWHC Foundation Hospital Engagement Network, under contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Partnership for Patients Initiative. Contract #HHSM-500-2012-0025 Hospital Engagement Network .