Surveillance of the spread of Clostridium difficile

25.4.2013

Question for written answer E-004649-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Anna Rosbach (ECR)

Clostridium difficile infections have become the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the European Union. This is threatening the health of citizens as well as engendering extra costs for healthcare systems. Since better surveillance is needed to effectively combat the spread, can the Commission answer the following questions:

• 1.Which Member States have, in the Commission’s opinion, sufficient surveillance systems for hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infections?
• 2.To what extent are surveillance systems for Clostridium difficile infections being expanded to include community and nursing homes — and is the current level sufficient?
• 3.Which Member States have the most effective systems, and what is the Commission doing to encourage the exchange of best practices in this field?

OJ C 35 E, 06/02/2014