Understanding contact precautions for C. difficile in hospitals
An infection prevention dilemma: should we place patients with C. difficile colonization on contact precautions?
['FUNDING_R01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11180252
This project aims to find out if patients who carry C. difficile without symptoms need special contact precautions in the hospital to keep everyone safe.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11180252 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
C. difficile is a common cause of severe diarrhea in hospitals, and it can be deadly. We now know that many patients carry C. difficile without showing symptoms, a state called colonization. Currently, hospitals have different rules for these patients, with some using contact precautions and others not. This project will help us understand if these precautions are truly needed for colonized patients to prevent harm from either unnecessary isolation or preventable exposure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who are admitted to a hospital and are found to be colonized with C. difficile would be relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients who are not hospitalized or do not have C. difficile colonization would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to clearer guidelines for hospitals, potentially reducing unnecessary isolation for some patients while better protecting others from C. difficile transmission.
How similar studies have performed: This issue is currently unresolved in infection prevention guidelines, indicating that this approach addresses a novel and unstudied question.
Where this research is happening
DURHAM, UNITED STATES
- DUKE UNIVERSITY — DURHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ANDERSON, DEVERICK JOHN — DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: ANDERSON, DEVERICK JOHN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.