Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)

What Are We Measuring?

The C. diff (Clostridioides difficile) CMS measure is a quality metric used to track and reduce hospital‑acquired C. diff infections. It helps evaluate how well hospitals prevent infections that occur during a patient’s stay. The measure uses a Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR), which compares the number of infections that actually occurred to the number that would be expected based on national data. An SIR below 1.0 means fewer infections than expected, while an SIR above 1.0 means more.

C. diff is a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea, inflammation of the colon, and other serious intestinal complications. It often develops after antibiotic use disrupts the balance of healthy gut bacteria, allowing C. diff to grow and release toxins. Because it spreads easily through spores, especially in healthcare settings, preventing transmission is essential to patient safety.

How Well Are We Doing?

This graph reflects the January data refresh on the CMS Care Compare website, covering the January 2024, 2025, and 2026 refresh cycles. A lower rate indicates stronger performance. Hendricks Regional Health has steadily reduced its C. diff SIR year over year and outperformed both state and national rates in the most recent cycle.

What Are We Doing to Prevent C. Diff?

At Hendricks Regional Health, we understand that the everyday steps we take to prevent infection truly matter to the people who depend on us. We’re dedicated to maintaining a clean, comfortable, and safe environment because it’s an essential part of how we care for our patients and their families.

To reduce the spread of C. diff, we follow evidence‑based practices designed to identify, isolate, and limit transmission:

• Thorough handwashing with soap and water
• Careful, appropriate use of antibiotics
• EPA‑approved disinfectants or bleach solutions to clean the environment, with special attention to bathrooms, bedside tables, and other frequently touched surfaces
• Testing for C. diff when appropriate and isolating patients who test positive
• Ensuring all healthcare workers and caregivers follow contact and isolation precautions
• Thoroughly disinfecting patient rooms and equipment
• After a patient is discharged from an isolation room, the room is carefully cleaned and checked to ensure it is safe. We confirm the cleaning through visual checks and specialized ATP testing, giving confidence that the room is thoroughly clean for the next patient.
• Providing ongoing education for our healthcare teams and conducting regular audits to ensure these practices are consistently followed

Learn More

We encourage patients and family members to use many of the different resources available to compare and choose a hospital or healthcare provider. Examples include Medicare.gov Care Compare and Leapfrog Ratings as well as talking with your healthcare provider.