Level of Knowledge of Medical Staff on the Basis of the Survey in Terms of Risk Management, Associated with <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> Infections

• Main Authors: Zofia Maria Kiersnowska, Ewelina Lemiech-Mirowska, Katarzyna Semczuk, Michał Michałkiewicz, Aleksandra Sierocka, Michał Marczak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: <i>Clostridioides difficile</i>; CDI; infection risk management; hand hygiene; medical staff
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/7060

Infections caused by the toxigenic strains of <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> in the hospital environment pose a serious public health problem. The progressive increase in hospital infections in Poland indicates that risk management is a tool that is not used in an effective way and significantly differs from the goals set by the Leading Authorities, the Ministry of Health and its subordinate units. Systematic education of medical personnel constitutes the basic element of rational risk management aimed at reducing the number of infections as it allows for the transfer of knowledge, development of appropriate organizational procedures, and improves internal communication. This paper presents the results of a survey conducted in hospital facilities throughout Poland. The study dealt with what medical personnel know about channels of transmission and prevention of <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infections in the hospital setting, professional training and risk management in terms of reducing the number of infections. The survey reveals that <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> continues to be a serious problem in the inpatient care system. Procedures and management strategies implemented by hospitals in order to limit the spread of the pathogen are predominantly focused on short-term action, which does not lead to a real improvement in terms of hospitalized patients’ safety. The infection risk management system was assessed at a fairly low level. The obtained research results confirmed the research hypotheses that had been formulated.