title: Environmental interventions to control Clostridium difficile.
abstract: The control of Clostridium difficile infection is paramount. C difficile spores are difficult to eradicate and can survive on surfaces for prolonged periods of time. Hand washing with either plain or antimicrobial soap is effective in removing C difficile spores from hands. Patients should be placed in private rooms and under contact precautions to prevent transmission to other patients. Regular hospital germicides are not sporicidal and hypochlorite solutions are required for surface disinfection. In outbreak situations, a multifaceted approach is required.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, 687 Pine Avenue West, Room L5.06, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada. Electronic address: vivian.loo@muhc.mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Vivian G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Loo
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000379:methods; D011481:Protective Clothing
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: Clostridium difficile; Environmental disinfection; Hand hygiene; Infection control and prevention; Isolation measures