Causes, Burden, and Prevention of Infection.

infection (CDI) is a potentially deadly cause of diarrhea that is virtually always connected to healthcare system exposures, both inpatient and outpatient. Once a disease mainly of hospitals, 75% of CDI cases are now diagnosed outside of hospitals. However, the diagnosis location may not reflect where spores were acquired or antibiotic exposure occurred. Changing epidemiology and increasing awareness about the role of every segment of the healthcare system in mediating this disease makes it clear that reducing its burden will also require active participation from all US healthcare professionals.