What infection control practices are recommended during an outbreak of Clostridium difficile?

During an outbreak of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), implementing contact precautions and ensuring effective cleaning of surfaces with appropriate disinfectants are essential infection control practices. C. difficile is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, which means that preventing the spread of spores, especially in healthcare settings, is vital.

Contact precautions are necessary to limit the transmission from infected patients to others and to prevent the contamination of healthcare workers’ hands, equipment, and surfaces. This includes wearing gloves and gowns when entering the patient's room and using dedicated or disposable equipment whenever possible.

Effective cleaning is also critical because C. difficile spores can survive on surfaces for long periods. Using disinfectants that are effective against these spores is crucial to minimize the risk of re-infection or transmission to other patients. This multifaceted approach—utilizing contact precautions along with thorough environmental cleaning—helps control the spread of C. difficile during an outbreak and protects both patients and healthcare workers.

In contrast, the other options do not adequately address infection control during a C. difficile outbreak. For instance, administering only oral medications does not directly impact infection control practices and may not be appropriate for managing severe cases. Using hand sanitizer exclusively without soap and water is ineffective since C. difficile spores are resistant