Clostridium difficile also known as C. difficile or C diff, is a bacteria that can be found in stool (a bowel movement). C. difficile disease occurs when antibiotics kill your good bowel bacteria and allow the C. difficile to grow. When C. difficile grows, it produces toxins that can damage the bowel and may cause diarrhea.

The Clostridium difficile infection rate is calculated as follows:

Number of new hospital acquired cases of C. difficile in our facility x 1000
Total number of patient days (for one month)  

OSMH Cases of New Nosocomial Hospital Acquired Clostridium difficile Associated Disease are presented below: 

Beginning 1 January 2010, new definitions for the surveillance and control of Clostridium difficile infections are in effect. The document outlining roles and responsibilities of the Hospital, the Public Health Unit and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care can be found here

Rates for the province of Ontario can be found at MOHLTC Patient Safety Indicators