C.diff

Please click the frequently asked questions below for further information and IPC precautions required:

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• What is C.diff?

  C,diff. is a spore-forming bacterium. C. difficile is a major cause of antibiotic associated diarrhoea and colitis, healthcare associated infections (HCAI’s) that mostly affect elderly patients with other underlying diseases.

  Certain antibiotics may change the natural balance of bacteria in the bowel; this enables C.diff to multiply and produce toxins that can cause diarrhoea. C. diff acquisition may result in asymptomatic carriage, loose stools or profuse diarrhoea which can result in life-threatening pseudo-membranous colitis and toxic megacolon. CDI is most common in people over the age of 65 years but any age group may be susceptible, with the exception of very young children (<2yrs).

  

• Where are the main symptoms of C.diff?
  • The main symptom is explosive diarrhoea which has a particularly unpleasant smell.
  • Other symptoms include stomach cramps, fever, nausea and loss of appetite.
  • Most people become only mildly ill and then recover fully.
  • The vast majority of patients make a straightforward recovery.
  • Some patients may become seriously ill and develop inflammation of the bowel (colitis). If the colitis is severe it can be life-threatening

  Symptoms may last from a few days to several weeks.

  

• Why is this information important?

  If NIAS staff are aware that the patient an active infection of C.diff  or patients experiencing diarrhoea, this should be communicated to the Control Room (Emergency or Non-emergency as appropriate) and the staff in the receiving unit when transferring the patient to ensure effective patient care and management.

  NIAS staff should ensure that all patients who are symptomatic of Infective diarrhoea should be risk assessed for a C.diff infection.

• How is it spread?

  C.diff can be ingested and spread between patients either through contact with a patient known C.diff infection / have current C.diff carriage  or by touching the environment that has been occupied by a patient with C.diff e.g. patient equipment, stretchers, hand rails, straps etc.

  It can also be spread through staff’s hands if staff do not adhere to the 5 moments of Hand Hygiene (HH) using the 7 step technique. It is also essential that staff use PPE appropriately ensuring that gloves are used and changed appropriately with HH. This will help protect both staff and patients from transmission of C.diff.

  

• IPC Precautions
  • Contact Precautions should be used
  • Hand Hygiene should be completed as per the 5 moments in line with usual practice. HH should be completed with Soap and Water.
  • Eye protection should always be risk assessed and used with any patient where there is a risk of splashes including spitting and productive coughing.
  • Gloves and Aprons should be worn.
  • The patient should be transported via ambulance (eg. PCS) with no other patients present where possible. Individual cases can be discussed with the IPC team and a risk assessment can be made.
  • Laundry should be treated as contaminated, placed into an alginate bag and placed into a red laundry bag.
• What cleaning is required?

  All equipment and the ambulance should have an in-between patient clean with a hypochlorite solution if the patient is having active diarrhoea paying particular attention to touch points. If the patient is a known carrier with no active diarrhoea then a standard in-between patient clean can be completed.

• Do staff need any prophylaxis or follow up?

  No staff follow up required.