C diff infection control in Independent Living

[Stacy Bernheisel]

I currently work in an Independent Living Facility & we have an incontinent resident who has been newly diagnosed with C diff. She is currently back home , with family & a visiting RN administering to her . I'd feel more comfortable with full contact precautions & isolation required because I KNOW where this can go ! However, currently I'm not sure of how far the facility will go with precautions.  Is the facility required to adhere to any precautions??? 

[Davey Do]

Your feeling of being uncomfortable is well-founded, Stacy.

Some facilities are required to have a nurse employed if any type of nursing care is provided for the residents. If so, there should be documented policies and procedures.

Basically, gloves and gowns are required and universal precautions met when providing direct care to a resident with C-diff.  Hand washing needs to be performed as hand sanitizers are not effective with C-diff. Trash and linens really should be put in biohazard bags and the resident's washing machine and dryer needs to be disinfected with a bleach-based cleanser. Masks are generally worn due to the pandemic, so that's an added plus.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Maybe someone more savvy than an old retired psych nurse will chime in.

Good luck and welcome to allnurses!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Independent living = patients own home.   Since you state they just returned home, I'm assuming post hospitalization so infection was treated.

CDC has good instructions for patient + caregivers to follow:

https://www.CDC.gov/cdiff/prevent.html

The visiting nurse should be providing instructions to family and building staff to follow.  Apron gown and gloves should be worn when providing personal care, should be provided by facility.