Risk Factors of Abdelsattar et al for Postoperative Infection with Clostridium difficile

Patient selection: post-operative onset of Clostridium difficile infection

Risk factors for Clostidium difficile infection on multivariate analysis:

(1) older age (mean 67 +/- 15.7 years vs mean 54 +/- 17.1, use >= 65 years in implementation)

(2) chronic immunosuppressive therapy

(3) serum albumin <= 3.5 g/dL (hypoalbuminemia)

(4) preoperative sepsis

(5) type of surgery (lower-extremity amputation, gastrointestinal surgery)

where:

• Gastrointestinal surgery included surgery on stomach or esophagus, small or large bowel resection or repair.

Following surgery a patient should be monitored for change in stools that may indicate the need to test for Clostridium difficile.