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Infection protection: Case managers play a role

Case Management Weekly, September 13, 2006

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Infection protection: Case managers play a role

While case managers are trained to identify and prevent hospital-acquired infections for their patients, special attention should be paid to a disease with increased prevalence: Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD).

CDAD is responsible for three million cases of hospital-acquired diarrhea and colitis (inflammation of the colon) a year. As a principle discharge diagnosis, the number of CDAD cases in the United States doubled between 2000 and 2003, increasing LOS and healthcare expenditure by more than $600 million.

As the number of reported cases continue to surge, case managers should first familiarize themselves with the symptoms of the disease, which include

• three or more episodes of watery diarrhea a day
• fever
• leukocytosisa (elevated number of white cells)
• abdominal pain or cramping

• antibiotic and anti-acid drug exposure
• gastrointestinal surgery
• tube feedings
• immuno-compromising treatments or illness
• extended LOS in healthcare settings

Source: Adapted from Case Management Monthly, October 2006, published by HCPro, Inc.

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