Joanne Kinlay

A qualitative study to identify reasons for Clostridium difficile testing in pediatric inpatients receiving laxatives or stool softeners

HighlightsClinicians often test for C. difficile despite knowing patients are on laxatives.Reasons for testing include increased loose stool or change in clinical status.Prior CDI, antibiotic receipt, and comorbidities also influence decisions to test.Targeted education is needed about testing after receipt of bowel medications. &NA; To understand why clinicians send Clostridium difficile tests from hospitalized children receiving laxatives or stool softeners, we performed a mixed‐methods study. We prospectively identified tested patients and surveyed their clinicians by e‐mail. Reasons for testing included changes in stooling pattern on baseline bowel regimen, other changes in clinical status, and risk factors for C difficile infection. Education targeting discontinuing bowel medications before C difficile testing could improve the specificity of pediatric C difficile infection diagnosis.

Barriers to the use of face protection for standard precautions by health care providers

Health care providers sometimes choose not to use face protection even when indicated as part of standard precautions. We performed a survey of pediatric health care providers to determine barriers to the routine use of face protection. Lack of availability at the point of care and a perceived lack of need were the most commonly cited issues. Continuing education is needed regarding situations in which face protection is indicated for standard precautions.

Sharing eyedrops between patients: when will it end?

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