Nurses with C-diff?

Nurses General Nursing

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Just something we were discussing the other day. Have any of you heard of a nurse getting C diff? Plenty of us have gone to work on antibiotics for one reason or another.. and considering it is so contagious.. I'm wondering if anyone had ever just picked it up?

(I'm on antibiotics right now, and even though I am washing my hands religiously, we have a LOT of C diff pt's and I'm just a little worried).

So, have any of you heard of a health care worker having C diff?

Specializes in I/DD.

I was just talking the other day about how I felt I have the immune system of a horse (or maybe not lol...but I NEVER get sick), but I worry about bringing bugs home to my family. I have never met a nurse who got C-diff, but as evidenced by this thread it does happen apparently.

As far as C-diff goes, the above poster is correct. So a couple months ago we had an outbreak of C-diff on my floor. If three patients test positive on our floor within a week, we have to treat EVERY patient as if they have C-diff. That means gown and glove in each room, semi-private or not. When you are done with one patient, you must de-gown, leave the room to wash with soap and water, then you may see the other patient. For two.weeks.

During that whole fiasco I learned a lot about C-diff. There is a contractor who runs a machine called Tru-D. It is a very strong UV light machine that totally wipes out C-diff spores. When we are on C-diff lockdown every room in the unit has to be cleaned with that machine. Then the room is cleaned with bleach (walls and everything), and checked with a black light. Apparently the spores glow under black light, which I did not know before. According to this guy, who I take to be a C-diff expert, C-diff is only killed by bleach and UV light. Washing your hands with soap and water won't actually kill the spores, it just washes them down the drain.

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UGGH Maybe I should go lay in a tanning bed LOL:crying2:

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We had to close our ward once because nearly a whole ward of 30 patients got c.diff... and then the staff started getting it.

Really miserable time. I didn't get it thank goodness, but that also sucked, because guess who they called to cover shifts? Literally spent 12+ hours just bathing and changing people on a rota schedule... start at b1, finish at b30, back to b1...

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I am a nurse...was healthy ...was not on ABT's and have vertically become disable...I am 46...has been one year since diagnosis. Worked in a LTC facility where there was an outbreak. I washed my hands with soap and water...the facility was not using proper cleaning techniques nor were the patients placed on isolation or room residents in room with another resident testing positive! I lost my home...I was engaged to be married...he left...my children 26 and 22 years old take care of me now. How fair that the facility is liable for a resident and not an employee?

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I'm a RCA working in a long term extended care facility! I'm healthy, can't remember last time on antibiotics & wound up in ER with wk long diarrhea & abdm cramping! Never remotely thought I'd be tested for C-diff! I couldn't get near my GP so off to ER it was today! I'm getting run around for test results so I'm off work for last 2 days of my,rotation & on RX from ER doc. I'm sooo shocked! My facility has had ALOT of C-diff residents past 6 months but we follow strict protocol & I'm known for over the top hand washing! How the heck did I get this & is it in me for life? If I get really sick later in life, can this crop up??

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I'm sorry but your queries need to be directed to your family physician , occupational/employee health, infection control and/or your employer. We cannot advise on medical issues such as these as per the site terms of service. Thread closed.

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