Guidance on Prevention and Control of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in Health and Social Care Settings in Scotland

This is a revised edition of the “Guidance on Prevention and Control of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in Health and Social Care Settings in Scotland” providing easily accessible advice covering key aspects of prevention and control of CDI.

This version follows Scottish Health Protection Network (SHPN) methodology for development of guidelines and provides a standardised evidence-based approach to diagnosis, prevention and control, and treatment of CDI to help staff deliver safe care and support the reduction of CDI in their organisation.

New elements of the guidance include:

• monitoring and treatment of CDI in children (under 15 years old)
• clarification of the roles and responsibilities for GPs and Health protection Teams
• revision of recommendations for patient assessment for CDI cases in care homes and those receiving care at home
• consensus on the role of asymptomatic carriers and probiotics for prevention/treatment of CDI
• updated information on the use of faecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of CDI

CDI Treatment Algorithms

The individual treatment algorithms for CDI are provided here for ease of access. Please refer to the guidance for full details.