A study has stated that a common bacterium that causes diarrhea is commonly found in U.S. hospitals and better hygiene and a judicious use of antibiotics would help.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology reported that as many as 13 out of every 1,000 hospital patients are infected with Clostridium difficile, CDI, which roughly adds up to 7,000 patients on any given day as much as 20 times greater than previous estimates.

Dr. William Jarvis, who led the study said, "You can get disease that ranges all the way from simple diarrhea all the way to perforation of the bowel requiring surgery, ... shock and death."

Researchers collected data from almost 648 healthcare facilities in 47 states and a total of 1443 patients were identified with CDI. Within 48 hours of admission 54.4 % of the patients were identified and 84.7 % were being treated for general medical conditions like diabetes, pulmonary or cardiac problems and were on wards throughout the hospital. The older and frail are at a greater risk of serious CDI which could result in death said Jarvis.

"We are still trying to get a grip on it," Jarvis said. Because the bacteria are hard to grow in culture, usually doctors order a test that misses the infection 25 percent of the time, he said. And because C. dificile is not a reportable disease, few records are kept.

The researchers found that only bleach based cleaners were effective at eliminating CDI with antibiotics also allowing CDI to flourish. "Antibiotics don't kill it and most germicides used for environmental cleaning don't kill it. Only bleach does," he said.

Lisa McGiffert, director of Consumers Union's Stop Hospital Infections Campaign, said, "Health care consumers need to be aware that most U.S. hospitals are not consistently following basic infection control practices against C difficile. Patients are already having to remind doctors to wash their hands, but they shouldn't have to bring bleach with them to make sure their rooms are clean."

“This study shows that C. difficile infection is an escalating issue in our nation’s healthcare facilities,” said Jarvis. “Clearly, preventing the development and transmission of CDI should be a top priority for every healthcare institution.”

The findings were presented on Tuesday at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC’s) conference, “Clostridium difficile:  A Call to Action,” in Orlando, Florida.