McGeer et al developed criteria for diagnosing an infection of the gastrointestinal tract in a patient at a long term care facility.
Diagnosis requires the presence of one or more of the following 3 criteria.
Criteria 1 - both of the following:
(1) 2 or more loose or watery stools above what is normal for the resident within a 24 hour period
(2) no alternative explanation (new medication, disease of another organ system)
Criteria 2 - both of the following:
(1) 2 or more episodes of vomiting in a 24 hour period
(2) no alternative explanation (new medication, disease of another organ system)
Criteria 3 - both of the following:
(1) 1 or more signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal infection:
(1a) nausea
(1b) vomiting
(1c) abdominal pain
(1d) abdominal tenderness
(1e) diarrhea
(2) laboratory evidence of gastrointestinal pathogen (stool culture positive for a pathogen (Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter); Clostridium difficile toxin present)
where:
• Demonstration of an enteric virus by culture or immunoassay would also qualify for laboratory evidence.
• Symptoms in criteria 3 overlap with both criteria 1 and 2.
