A highly toxic bacteria strain called Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is appearing more frequently in Arizona hospitals and long-term care facilities, particularly in the Phoenix area. While it is hard to determine how much this bacteria contributes to a patient's illness or death, doctors do know that it carries at least 20 times more toxins as previous strains, giving it the title of "supergerm." Medical facilities in Arizona and across the nation are not obligated to report cases involving the C. diff bacteria, which makes tracking its origin or rate of infection almost impossible. If you or a loved one was exposed to or suffered from the C. diff strain of bacteria, it is important to understand it and its detrimental effects to patients in Arizona.
Supergerm is Toxic and Resistant
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the C. diff bacteria strain can cause various intestinal illnesses such as diarrhea, colitis, sepsis and death in extreme cases. Symptoms include fever, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea that occurs three or more times a day for more than two days. C. diff bacteria is spread through fecal matter typically transferred from infected surfaces by hand-to-mouth contact. Few if any medical facilities in Arizona or the U.S. routinely test for the C. diff strain, which makes detecting it difficult.
Public Unknowing as Outbreak Grows
The people most at risk for a C. diff infection are the elderly and patients who already take regular antibiotics to treat an existing sickness. Since healthy people are not as susceptible to contracting the bacteria, this may have contributed to a lack of notice about a C. diff outbreak in Arizona. In addition, the state does not demand that hospitals, nursing homes or other medical facilities regularly report or track cases of C. diff in their patients. This makes any attempts by health officials, such as the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS), to control or prevent the bacteria from spreading unsuccessful.
No Kryptonite for Supergerm
Even though C. diff is considered highly toxic and resistant to treatment, hospitals and their medical staff may contain it through rigorous hand washing and disinfecting of surfaces that may contain fecal matter using bleach. Doctors typically prescribe stronger antibiotics for patients to take over a course of 10 days to treat a C. diff infection, but this carries risks as antibiotics also kill good bacteria needed to fight infections. There is no one way to kill the supergerm, but through a combination of diligent cleanliness and medical attention the bacteria can be controlled.
Role of Hospitals and Medical Facilities
According to The Arizona Republic, over 15,400 cases of C. diff bacteria were noted in Arizona patients discharged from hospitals during a span of two years from January 2008 to December 2009. Arizona's Maricopa County recently issued a health alert regarding a possible outbreak of C. diff bacteria and instructing hospitals and medical facility personnel to closely watch any traces of the disease. C. diff is a real threat to anyone who may need to enter a hospital, nursing home or other long-term care facility, so awareness of its existence is crucial to current or potential patients. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a C. diff or another infection contracted from a stay at an Arizona medical facility, contact a local personal injury attorney about your rights. These facilities may be liable for the pain and suffering or wrongful death associated with a C. diff disease, so be sure to know your legal rights.
