A recent study published in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology examined the impact that C. diff infections have on the patient population. Utilizing data from a population-based cohort study among US adults, researchers found that that each year c. diff infections nearly double the patient cost and mortality chances.
Analyzing Medicare data from 2008-2010, researchers concluded that of 1,165,165 patients examined, 6,838 experienced C. diff infections. Mortality rate among patients with C. diff vs. non-infected patients was nearly double. (42.6% vs. 23.4%) Total healthcare cost for C. diff patients vs. non-infected patients was also nearly double. ($64,807 +- $66,480 vs. #38,128 +- $46,485)
Patients diagnosed with C. diff were more likely to be older, from the northeast, and demonstrated a higher burden of comorbidities. Researchers state “among elderly patients, C. diff infections are associated with an increase in adjusted mortality and healthcare associated infection cost following a CDI episode . . . nationwide, annually this equals to 240,000 patients with CDI, 46,000 potential deaths, and more than $6 billion in cost”.