[AnAmericanMother]

Your note: The drug that does work is very expensive.

From the story: both the patients had been frail

Certainly not going to waste a very expensive drug on frail, elderly patients . . . just let 'em die. If they don't die fast enough, kill 'em.

. . . coming soon to a health system near you!

[hinckley buzzard]

I am acquainted with an 82 year-old man, an extremely resilient sort, who has been in treatment for C diff for upwards of a year. Even the most effective drugs are not quick and easy cures. Severe persistent diarrhea will knock off someone who is "frail" no matter what you treat them with.