While Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has always been on the Infection Prevention and Control radar, the size of the blip on the Australian ICP's screen is about to get much bigger.

Increases in the frequency, virulence and resistance to treatment associated with emergence of specific C. difficile clones elsewhere in the developed world have justifiably lead to increased attention being paid to this infection. Experts in Europe and North America concur that prospective CDI incidence monitoring is now a critical element of ICP practice, and have developed consensus surveillance definitions to support this recommendation.

Locally, C. difficile surveillance is already underway in some states, and will be incorporated into the Australian national HAI surveillance program. The proposed inclusion of CDI surveillance has been supported by the Health Ministers of all states, and national definitions have been developed to support implementation.
The presentation will provide a brief update on current CDI epidemiology; mention various models of CDI surveillance; and explain the definitions and methodology to be used in the Australian national CDI surveillance program.