Angry Relative and C. difficile Infection

You are the doctor on the ward, looking after a patient, called Brian Smith. The patient was admitted with sepsis due to pneumonia and treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and then developed diarrhoea, which has been found to be due to Clostridium difficile. The relative, Mrs Sarah Taylor, has made a complaint about their relative and your Consultant has asked you to talk to the relative.

Your task is to explain to the relative the situation and management plan.

You should also answer any questions the relative may have, assume you have the patient’s consent to discuss their condition with the relative/surrogate.

DO NOT EXAMINE THE PATIENT OR THEIR SURROGATE, DO NOT TAKE A HISTORY

Any notes you make must be handed to the examiners at the end of the station.