Acute Gastroenteritis in the ED/UCC: Risk Factors for Bacterial Acute Gastroenteritis
- Close contact to person with bacterial gastroenteritis (household, daycare)
- Animal exposure: farm animals, petting zoo, pet reptiles
- Undercooked meat or poultry, unpasteurized dairy products, raw shellfish
- Community outbreaks of specific bacterial gastroenteritis
- International travels (complete O&P indicated)
- Exposure to freshwater
Testing
- Consider viral gastroenteritis
- Bacterial enteritis testing if indicated
- In patients > 2 years of age consider pseudomembranous colitis antibiotic associated diarrhea (Clostridioides difficile)
These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.
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