Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Document Type
Major Paper
School
School of Nursing
Department
Nursing
Date of Original Version
2016
Abstract
Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), the prevention of CDI, particularly in the inpatient hospital setting, remains a challenge. Clostridium difficile now rivals methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as the most common pathogen to cause hospital acquired infections (HAI) in the United States. Hospitalized patients are considered to be especially high risk for CDI, and among inpatient cases, antibiotic treatment, especially with Fluoroquinolones has been an almost universal factor in the development of CDIs. One preventative measure that is incontinently used in the prevention of CDI is oral probiotics. Probiotic consumption is reported to exert a myriad of beneficial effects including enhanced immune response, balancing of colonic microbiota, treatment of diarrhea associated with travel and antibiotic therapy, control of rotavirus and clostridium difficile induced colitis. The American College of Gastroenterology recognizes the role of probiotics and included probiotics as a level B recommendation for the treatment of CDI. It has been hypothesized that the use of probiotics, as an adjunctive therapy in patients receiving antibiotics, may provide a key intervention in reducing primary CDI. The purpose of this study was to conduct a retrospective chart review to explore healthcare providers prescribing trends regarding Fluoroquinolone antibiotics and adjunctive probiotics in patients with hospital acquired CDI. The Synergy model was used to guide the study. Results indicated that probiotics are not frequently prescribed for hospitalized patients on Fluoroquinolones and when they are it is with inconsistency. Additional research is recommended to further assess the use of probiotics in conjunction with other classes of commonly used antibiotics; this study solely looked at Fluoroquinolones.
Recommended Citation
Mook, Lindsay F., "The Use of Probiotics in the Prevention of Clostridium Difficile Infection" (2016). Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview. 149.
https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/etd/149
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