New research has exposed a critical gap in the NHS's defence against a potentially fatal stomach bug, with hospitals frequently failing to test for it and staff unaware of essential hygiene measures.
Widespread Ignorance of Prevention Protocols
A survey of more than 1,000 NHS staff members has uncovered a startling lack of knowledge regarding Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). The findings indicate that nearly 80 per cent of staff did not know the correct hygiene steps required to protect patients from this highly transmissible infection.
Conducted by Tillotts Pharma UK, the research further revealed that this knowledge gap has direct clinical consequences. One in five staff members admitted they do not routinely test for C. diff when a hospitalised patient develops diarrhoea, despite this being a primary symptom.
A Leading and Lethal Hospital-Acquired Infection
C. diff is the UK's leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhoea and poses a severe, life-threatening risk, particularly to older patients. The bacteria's spores are notoriously resilient, surviving heat and many common disinfectants, which facilitates their spread in healthcare environments.
Approximately 18,000 C. diff infections occur in the UK annually, with the vast majority originating in hospitals and care homes. The infection proves deadly in roughly one in seven cases, often by triggering peritonitis – a dangerous infection of the abdomen's inner lining.
NHS data highlights a significant geographical disparity in infection rates. Areas like Wales and the North West experience twice as many infections per 100,000 people compared to London, pointing to uneven standards of prevention and care across the country.
Experts Demand Improved Diagnosis and Systems
Dr Jane Freeman, secretary of the C. diff Trust and an Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology, stressed that diagnosis is paramount. "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 systemic change, stating, "We need to make sure that our healthcare professionals have the right skills and awareness of C. diff, and that the NHS has the right systems and guidance in place to ensure that patients get the tests they need at the right time wherever they are."
She also warned of the infection's long-term impact, noting it can delay treatment for other conditions. Furthermore, C. diff recurs in about 25 to 30 per cent of people, leaving many patients in a state of anxiety about their recovery and fearful of minor stomach complaints.
