Paul Feuerstadt, MD: The Value of Antimicrobial Stewardship for C Difficile

Antimicrobial stewardship programs are important in reducing the reliance on antibiotic use to drive down the rates of clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in hospitals.

It has long been known that antibiotic use is a major risk factor of these types of hospital-acquired infections, but how to avoid the use is a tougher challenge.

In an interview with HCPLive®, Paul Feuerstadt , MD, Yale University School of Medicine, explained the value of stewardship programs and how they will result in future reductions of hospital-acquired C difficile infections.

Feuerstadt presented data during the recent 2021 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Meeting about RBX2660, a potential microbial treatment for the infection.

He also spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted C difficile cases.

There have been several reports and studies highlighting a reduction in cases due to all the mitigation measures put in place, including social distancing, a reduction in visitors, and enhanced sanitation measures.

However, Feuerstadt said rates likely stayed relatively stable throughout the pandemic, mainly due to an increased use of antibiotics.

But he did say once the threat of COVID-19 finally subsides there might still be a drastic reduction as hospitals will likely maintain many of the measures that have been put in place.