Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) refers to bacterium that infects the gut thereby causing diarrhea (Luo & Barlam, 2018). This infection is common among people who have used antibiotics for treatment. There is a growing consensus in literature that the infection of the intestines with Clostridium difficile infection is the fastest growing healthcare issue not only in the United States but globally. Millions of Americans are infected with this bacterium, causing major concerns in the healthcare system. In addition, it is worth noting that Clostridium difficile infection is a burdensome healthcare condition given the fact that it costs the healthcare system a staggering $5 billion and tens of thousands of deaths each year (Lee & Fishman, 2017). Evidence to support prevalence and burden associated with Clostridium difficile infection is sparse. Available studies provide an array of reasons to justify the rapid increase in prevalence and burden of Clostridium difficile infection. This study will seek to determine prevalence and burden of Clostridium difficile infection in the United States