The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention make the following 12 recommendations to prevent Clostridium difficile infections (CDI).
1. Contact Precautions for duration of diarrhea.
2. Comply with CDC hand hygiene recommendations.
3. Adequate cleaning and disinfection of equipment and environment.
4. Laboratory-based alert system for immediate notification of positive test results.
5. Educate about CDI: healthcare personnel, housekeeping, administration, patients, families.
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Also consider:
6. Extend use of Contact Precautions beyond duration of diarrhea (e.g., 48 hours).
7. Presumptive isolation for symptomatic patients pending confirmation of CDI.
8. Evaluate and optimize testing for CDI.
9. Implement soap and water for hand hygiene before exiting room of a patient with CDI.
10. Implement universal glove use on units with high CDI rates.
11. Use EPA-registered disinfectants with sporicidal claim (e.g., bleach) or sterilants for environmental disinfection.
12. Implement an antimicrobial stewardship program.
Related Articles on C. Diff:
Patient Safety Tool: Clostridium Difficile Patient Information Sheet
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Higher C. Diff Rates Linked to Vancomycin for Bowel Disease Patients
