Case Study: Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital 2020 HAP Achievement Award

Using Interprofessional Huddles to Transform CDI Rates

Clostridium Difficile infections (CDI) can occur after antibiotic treatment and can cause serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. In an effort to reduce hospital CDIs, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital’s multidisciplinary team began a thorough literature review, analyzing current policies and best practices, while doing a “deep dive” to understand the root causes for infections.

Through that process, the hospital created its new Interprofessional CDI Huddle and CDI testing algorithm. The hospital carefully reviewed its standards for CDI risk assessment and developed education for nurses and providers about the planned changes. The collaborative process helped determine the need for CDI testing on a patient-by-patient basis.

The hospital listed several keys to success for its new project, including:

• Developing a clear process where all members of the interprofessional team are accountable to participate
• Continued deep dive analysis of all CDIs helps refine processes and discover areas for improvement
• Increasing staff knowledge of the CDI process and colonization status and provider buy-in are important elements for CDI huddles

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Through this initiative, the hospital achieved its goal to significantly decrease the rate of CDIs during the first two years. It also enjoyed improved antimicrobial stewardship, continued active participation in the huddle process, and increased nursing autonomy.

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Topics: Quality Initiatives

Revision Date: 8/1/2020

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