Hall BR, et al. - The effects of delaying surgery on outcomes and cost in patients admitted with severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) were investigated via analyzing data of patients with CDI who underwent open total abdominal colectomy (TAC) from the Vizient database. Prolonged non-operative care was identified to increase morbidity, mortality, and cost. Younger patients more frequently prolonged non-operative management. No association of patient gender and race was noted with poor surgical outcomes for C. difficile colitis. These findings emphasize early surgical intervention in appropriately selected patients when there is a high suspicion for prolonged non-operative treatment.