CDIFF

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

If someone has CDIFF, we've usually put them in a private room. The new 'thing' seems to be to cohort with someone without CDIFF. We're having a discussion at work....the policy states the person WITH CDIFF uses the commode and the other person uses the bathroom. I don't think that makes sense since you now have to empty the commode somewhere. You either empty it in the bathroom and contaminate it or you carry the nasty CDIFF down the hall to the dirty utility room and empty it there.

I think, logically speaking, the person with the CDIFF should use the bathroom. Everything flushes and there is less chance of cross contamination.

Anyone want to comment?

[River&MountainRN, ADN, RN]

Having worked LTC, I'd agree with you that if the CDiff resident absolutely couldn't have their own private room for whatever reason, then they should at least be the one to have access to the bathroom. The non-CDiff resident could either use a commode or use a "common"/public one off the hall (if your facility is laid out that way).

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Well that depends on how your building is set up. In my facility most of the rooms are double occupancy with a bathroom shared between 2 rooms so there are potentially 4 residents using the same bathroom. To minimize risk of cross contamination we have the C-diff + resident using a commode instead of the bathroom. How we handle clean up is by lining the commode with a biohazard garbage bag, pulling the bag out after use and then double bagging to dispose of it. Then the commode itself stays relatively clean and can just be wiped down with bleach wipes after use. It's actually easier and faster than cleaning a toilet after each use plus it contains that C-diff resident in their own space better.

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

IF they are going to share a room you might as well treat the other person for cdiff as well because they are going to get it. They should have private room with staff using contact isolation

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

9 hours ago, litbitblack said:

IF they are going to share a room you might as well treat the other person for cdiff as well because they are going to get it. They should have private room with staff using contact isolation

In a perfect world I'd totally agree. However in some settings that just isn't an option. My SNF is at almost full census, we simply don't have a private room to move a c-diff positive resident to so we do the best we can with what we have to minimize risk of cross contamination as much as possible.