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# C. diff testing methods matter says new study
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/c_diff_testing_methods_matter_0706110825/
- Published: 2011-07-06T21:22:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T13:19:41.000Z
- Description: A Journal of Molecular Diagnostics study comparing five C. difficile assays found the molecular method detected up to 54 percent more cases than non-molecular tests. It costs more, but lead author Kimberle Chapin says catching cases is critical to stopping spread.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Biological, Food Safety, #vivvo-import

**by Aimee Keenan-Greene**  
  
A new study says some tests *are in fact* more accurate at identifying the hospital acquired infection Clostridium difficile Toxin (C. diff) infection, than others.According to the report published in the [*Journal of Molecular Diagnostics*](http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/jmdi/article/S1525-1578%2811%2900091-2/abstract?ref=foodconsumer.org), the molecular method detects up to 54 percent more cases of C. diff than other non-molecular methods. While molecular technology is more expensive, it allows more cases to be identified and assists in patient safety efforts, says Lifespan.[C. diff ](http://www.lifespan.org/services/infectious/diseases/clostridium/?ref=foodconsumer.org)is a bacterium that produces toxins that cause extreme diarrhea. A [2009 article in the *American Journal of Infection Control* ](http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553%2809%2900041-8/abstract/?ref=foodconsumer.org)reported an estimated 13 in every 1,000 hospital inpatients had C. diff - 20 times more than previous estimates. In Rhode Island, that number is estimated to be closer to 29 per 1,000 patients - that's among the highest in the country, Lifespan reports. Lead author Kimberle Chapin, M.D., director of themicrobiology labs of Rhode Island's [Lifespan](http://www.lifespan.org/news/2011/07/05/not-all-tests-are-created-equal-identifying-c-diff-in-hospital-labs/?ref=foodconsumer.org#more-1163) hospitals, says across the country, C. diff results in 9,000 hospital deaths annually, 3,000 post-discharge deaths, and 16,500 deaths in nursing homes. In Chapin's study, she compared five different assays used in the laboratory for identifying C. diff. Her labs at Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children's Hospital, The Miriam Hospital and Newport Hospital perform 15,000 C. diff assays each year. 

Chapin says, to prevent the spread of C. diff, it is critical that it be identified and both appropriate treatment and proper infection control methods be implemented to prevent its spread.

Last month the Rhode Island based company Pear Health, LLC introduced an infection prevention toolkit for patients in a hospital or nursing home setting. [The Patient Pod](http://thepatientpod.com/?ref=foodconsumer.org)™ hand-hygiene system empowers the patient by providing clean care and comfort. Pear Health CEO and Founder Pat Mastors created The Patient Pod™ after the death of her father. He passed away due to complications from C. diff. 

The Patient Pod™ was recently featured as the guest of[GOJO ](http://www.gojo.com/?ref=foodconsumer.org)Industries, inventors of PURELL®, at[ APIC](http://conference.apic.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home7&ref=foodconsumer.org)’s Annual Educational Conference & International Meeting. APIC is the largest annual gathering of infection preventionists in the world. PURELL® hand sanitizing gel and wipes are part of The Patient Pod solution.A juvenile version of The Patient Pod™, developed by [Fuzion Design Inc](http://fuziondesigninc.com/?ref=foodconsumer.org) of Pawtucket, is currently in production.