‘One in 12 patients who contract C diff infection will die’

A NEW virulent strain of the recently detected hospital acquired infection clostridium difficile (C diff) is fatal for one in 12 patients who contract it and is of huge concern for hospitals across the country, a consultant respiratory physician at a Dublin hospital told Dublin County Coroner’s Court yesterday.

The 027 strain of C diff, which has been “noted” in Irish hospitals in the past six months, is more toxic than other strains of the infection, consultant respiratory physician at St Michael’s Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, Dr Tim McDonnell, told the court.

“C diff is a particular problem as hand-washing is not effective in preventing it. You’ve got to be meticulously clean and it’s a huge focus in hospitals,” said Dr McDonnell.