Outcome of Electronic Order Alert Intervention Relative to Toxigenic Clostridium difficile PCR Analysis and Hospital-Onset C difficile Infection in a Multihospital Health Care System.

Objectives: Concern exists regarding overdiagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) via molecular modalities. We determined effects of a preanalytic order intervention on laboratory and CDI prevention measures in a multihospital system.

Methods: Intervals before and following implementation of a CDI electronic order alert (relative to appropriate testing scenario) were assessed for C difficile test volume and positivity rate, hospital-onset CDI frequency, and hospital-onset C difficile standardized infection ratio (SIR).