What is c-diff?
C-diff (Clostridium difficile ) is a bacteria that colonizes in the human intestine and colon. People who have c-diff will have diarrhea and abdominal pain. It is spread when someone touches their infected stool. C-diff is resistant to most antibiotics.
C-diff is a nosocomial infection, also known as a hospital-acquired infection, which means that it is often a result of treatment in a hospital. Patients in a hospital usually have a weakened immune system and are on antibiotics to treat a primary disease. This makes them more susceptible to c-diff.
As you learned in orientation, you must always follow the proper isolation procedures. C-diff is very common in hospitals and there are patients that we visit that will have it. This is why it is so important to wear a gown and gloves when patients are on contact precautions. You should ALWAYS wash your hands with soap and water (not just purell) if you were wearing gloves and have just left a contact room.
This is not only for your safety, but for the safety of all the patients on the floor. You do not want to be the one responsible for an outbreak!! The nurses may let you know if a patient has c-diff, please do not hesitate to visit that patient. If you follow the proper protocol, there is minimal risk – this is why the isolation procedures are in place!
C-diff (Clostridium difficile ) is a bacteria that colonizes in the human intestine and colon. People who have c-diff will have diarrhea and abdominal pain. It is spread when someone touches their infected stool. C-diff is resistant to most antibiotics.
C-diff is a nosocomial infection, also known as a hospital-acquired infection, which means that it is often a result of treatment in a hospital. Patients in a hospital usually have a weakened immune system and are on antibiotics to treat a primary disease. This makes them more susceptible to c-diff.
As you learned in orientation, you must always follow the proper isolation procedures. C-diff is very common in hospitals and there are patients that we visit that will have it. This is why it is so important to wear a gown and gloves when patients are on contact precautions. You should ALWAYS wash your hands with soap and water (not just purell) if you were wearing gloves and have just left a contact room.
This is not only for your safety, but for the safety of all the patients on the floor. You do not want to be the one responsible for an outbreak!! The nurses may let you know if a patient has c-diff, please do not hesitate to visit that patient. If you follow the proper protocol, there is minimal risk – this is why the isolation procedures are in place!
2 comments:
Good information on C-diff.
If we are visiting the room of a patient who is on contact precautions and they have a visitor who is not gowned/gloved, is this something we should ignore or mention?
You should remind visitors that the precautions are in place for the safety of the patient.
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