Hospitals across the UK are missing vital opportunities to test for a life-threatening stomach bug, new research has exposed. The study reveals a dangerous gap in staff knowledge and practice concerning Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), a leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhoea.
Widespread Ignorance on Deadly Bug
A survey of more than 1,000 NHS staff members uncovered that nearly 80% did not know the correct hygiene procedures required to protect vulnerable patients from C. diff. This highly transmissible bug produces spores resistant to heat and many common disinfectants, making hospitals and care homes ideal environments for its spread.
Consequently, the research conducted by Tillotts Pharma UK found that one in five staff admitted they do not routinely test for C. diff when a patient develops diarrhoea after being admitted. This failure in initial diagnosis can delay crucial treatment, with potentially fatal outcomes.
The Scale and Danger of C. diff Infections
Approximately 18,000 C. diff infections are recorded in the UK annually, with most occurring in hospital and care home settings. The infection is particularly dangerous for older patients, with roughly one in seven cases proving deadly.
The mortality is often due to the bug triggering peritonitis, a severe infection of the abdomen's inner lining. NHS data further highlights a stark postcode lottery in infection rates, with Wales and the North West experiencing twice as many infections per 100,000 people compared to London.
Experts Demand Improved Systems and Awareness
Dr Jane Freeman, Secretary of the C. diff Trust and an Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology, stressed the urgency of the situation. "The key to treating C. diff is getting a diagnosis with the right test," she said. "That relies on our healthcare professionals knowing the risk factors and making sure the patient is tested."
Dr Freeman called for healthcare professionals to be equipped with the right skills and awareness, and for the NHS to implement robust systems to ensure timely testing for all patients. She also warned of the long-term impact, noting that C. diff recurs in 25-30% of people, leaving many in a state of anxiety and disrupting treatment for other underlying conditions.
"Having C. diff can delay the treatments they need for those other conditions until they get better," Dr Freeman added. "It leaves many patients worried about whether their recovery will last and fearing every tummy twinge."
