Henry Ford Hospital: 90% C. diff Reduction Strategy
- Detroit's Henry Ford hospital has dramatically reduced Clostridioides difficile (C.
- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) developed CUSP to involve frontline staff in pinpointing and resolving potential infection risks.
- A key component of the program involved nurses initiating testing for symptomatic patients within three days of admission.
Henry Ford Hospital’s nephrology unit slashed C.diff infections by an impressive 90% using a new safety program. This initiative,detailed in this report,implemented a complete Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) empowering staff to identify and mitigate infection risks. Nurse-driven testing, within the first three days of admission, and enhanced staff education were pivotal to this success. The hospital is now expanding these measures across its entire 800-bed facility, setting a new standard for patient safety. News Directory 3 provides insights on this innovative strategy. Discover what’s next as Henry Ford Hospital continues to refine its approach and share best practices in the fight against hospital-acquired infections.
Henry Ford Hospital Cuts C. Diff Infections with New Safety Program
Updated June 19, 2025
Detroit’s Henry Ford hospital has dramatically reduced Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections in its nephrology unit,reporting a 90% decrease as 2023. Hospital officials attribute this success to the implementation of a Extensive Unit-based Safety Program, or CUSP.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) developed CUSP to involve frontline staff in pinpointing and resolving potential infection risks. The program combines teamwork,safety protocols,and clinical best practices,enabling care teams to proactively address safety concerns and improve patient outcomes related to C. diff infection control.
A key component of the program involved nurses initiating testing for symptomatic patients within three days of admission. This nurse-driven protocol helped distinguish between hospital-acquired infections and those present upon arrival, allowing for quicker and more appropriate treatment.The unit also emphasized hands-on training in proper isolation methods, conducted bedside case reviews, and provided staff with readily accessible reference cards detailing C. diff protocols.
Due to the nephrology unit’s success in reducing C. diff infections, several of these measures are now being adopted hospital-wide across the 800-bed facility. The Centers for disease Control and Prevention estimates that C. diff causes approximately 500,000 infections annually in the U.S., particularly affecting older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems. These infections often occur during or following antibiotic use, disrupting the natural balance of gut bacteria.
What’s next
Henry Ford Hospital plans to continue expanding the program to other units, aiming for further reductions in hospital-acquired infections and improved patient safety throughout the facility. The hospital also intends to share its findings and best practices with other healthcare organizations.