Search below for the latest C-diff news stories. Get the latest information on how North Texans are fighting to reduce C-diff infections in our community.
September 4, 2014
Regional healthcare organization expected to announce initial findings of infection prevention study
IRVING, TEXAS (August 12, 2014) — The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation, which unites North Texas hospital and industry leaders to advance quality healthcare in the region, is set to host the 2014 Patient Safety Summit August 13-14 at the Irving Convention Center The event is designed to foster among area healthcare providers a collaborative environment to address patient safety and quality issues.
A keynote of this year’s event will be the DFW Hospital Council Foundation’s announcement of initial findings from its summer research study into the prevention and treatment of “C. diff,” a type of infectious diarrhea caused by the Clostridium difficile bacteria, which has been linked to more than 14,000 American deaths each year. This announcement is a prelude to the DFW Hospital Council Foundation’s C. diff public awareness campaign that will kick off this fall.
“The purpose of our study is to work collaboratively with participating healthcare providers to decrease the incidences of C. diff in hospitals and clinics,” DFW Hospital Council Foundation President Kristin Jenkins, JD, FACHE, said. “We believe that, with joint efforts and proactive measures, the members of our community can help eliminate the spread of infectious diseases like C. diff and influence better overall public health and safety practices.”
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, GI issues, and for those with serious underlying health or immune-compromising conditions.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, C. diff infection rates in Texas hospitals increased substantially over the past decade, from 3.054 per 1,000 patients in 2000 to 6.360 per 1,000 in 2009. In Dallas and Tarrant counties alone, the rate per 1,000 patients was 5.02 and 5.30, respectively, by the end of that decade.
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 DFWHC is one of the leading hospital councils in the country and the only hospital council in Texas. Driven by elite members, DFWHC Foundation provides educational sessions, networking opportunities and competitive intelligence. To learn more, visit dfwhcfoundation.org, or follow us on LinkedIn.
The Patient Safety Summit is sponsored by the DFWHC Foundation Hospital Engagement Network, under contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Ser¬vices, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Contract #HHSM-500-2012-0025.
Media Contact:
Chris Wilson
DFWHC
(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 >
© 2016 DFWHC Foundation All rights reserved. Site designed and developed by Agency Creative
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 .