Hospital-onset C. diff can quickly become a serious patient safety concern. See how Presbyterian Rust Medical Center and Sound Hospital Medicine used a clinician-led prevention plan to help reduce hospital-onset C. diff risk.
The result: a 47% decrease in hospital-onset C. diff cases from 2021 to 2024.† ‡
Key results
47% decrease
in hospital-onset C. diff cases from 2021 to 2024§100% of HO-CDI cases
reviewed through a structured review processClinician-only ordering
with infection prevention check-inStandardized cleaning
cadence for high-touch surfaces
What’s inside
The full case study shows how Rust and Sound brought Hospital Medicine, infection prevention, nursing, environmental services, and leadership together around one practical C. diff prevention plan.
You’ll see how the team addressed:
- Smarter testing ordering. How the team tightened C. diff test ordering to support more appropriate testing.
- Early detection. How an early-admission testing rule helped identify possible community-onset cases sooner.
- Consistent follow-through. How cleaning, case reviews, and shared accountability helped sustain the plan over time.
Bonus: 5-step action guide
The download also includes five practical steps hospital teams can use to help reduce hospital-onset C. diff risk and strengthen prevention practices.
Footnotes:
†Results vary by facility; implement in accordance with your infection prevention policies.
‡Timeframe: July 2022 initial planning through ongoing reviews as of September 2025.
§Facility Infection Prevention surveillance/EMR case review, Jan. 2021-Dec. 2024.
