Characteristic c-diff odor??

Aneroo, LPN · May 27, 2009

What's worse???

C-diff patients when you're about 6 weeks pregnant and then smell of *anything* makes you want to vomit, despite almost unhealthy doses of Zofran. :lol:

I couldn't eat Taco Bell or hot dogs for most of my pregnancy b/c I had a patient vomit those. Yech.

crystalcnd · Oct 12, 2009

I think C-Diff smells like something crawled inside you and died. :omy: It has an odor that almost burns your nostrils. When I was working as a CNA it only took me a couple of weeks to be able to "diagnose" C-Diff just by the smell. It's one of those smells, in my opinion that meets you before you walk in the door. It is even worse when its a tube-feed patient. C-Diff is one of two odors that I just about can't stomach. The other being the colostomy of a certain "frequent flyer" that we have on our unit. I don't know what I will do when I'm pregnant. With my last pregnancy I had a VERY sensitive "smeller". I guess I'll walk around with a mask on all the time, or rub Vicks under my nose!

raggyann · Feb 15, 2011

It seems to me like a vinegar smell. Does anyone agree?:monkeydance::

Hoozdo, ADN · Feb 15, 2011

It smells like an outhouse that is in the sun in high summer in the hottest

place on earth you can imagine. After you smell it a couple of times you will

not forget the smell.

I consider Atomic Fire Balls (cinnamon jaw breakers) part of my essential

nursing tools to deal with this problem. :eek:

raggyann · Feb 15, 2011

How reliable are the stool test? I mean, I asked a Gastroenterologist, who answered (as he passed by me) that you have to run three stool samples to find it and two will be negative and one positive so how can we be sure enough of a negative result to send the patient home when a missed diagnosis could lead to life threatening complications? Is there a better and more reliable test than running stool samples? :confused:

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Feb 15, 2011

I can usually tell when I walk onto a unit if there is a pt there who has C-Diff. First day on the job, walked onto the unit, turned to the nurse & asked.. WHo has C-Diff?? She said no one, I said no, someone does & proceeded to walk down the hall sniffing at each room, I did find the room, a look at the stool and a sample sent out confirmed it. Nurses were all amazed, I was wondering how they could have missed it! I've actually caught it at the very early stages. Guess I'm one of those sensitive types.

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2011

This thread "stinks!"

heheheh

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2011

How reliable are the stool test? I mean, I asked a Gastroenterologist, who answered (as he passed by me) that you have to run three stool samples to find it and two will be negative and one positive so how can we be sure enough of a negative result to send the patient home when a missed diagnosis could lead to life threatening complications? Is there a better and more reliable test than running stool samples?

C-diff has to be collected right away and not mixed in with urine for better results...

It needs to be "hot off the press!"

Room temperature makes the toxin break down and can render a negative test result, thus collecting the sample 3 times...

I think the nose is the most reliable way to detect c-diff (this thread is giving me PTSD- hahah)

raggyann · Feb 16, 2011

:monkeydance:That's great gentlegiver, forgive me but I had to LMBO as the involuntary image of someone sniffing from door to door invaded my minds eye :bow: Hot off the press rkitty198?The thought of a warm aromatic container while i desperately fumble for a lid! :barf02: Ha ha!But seriously, i wish there was a better way because until i get that golden aromatic imprint on my brain i am doomed to be the curious sniffer!:sofahider:no:

SL233 · May 27, 2011

The stool test used for C. Diff in many labs (including hospital labs) is so unreliable, had so many false negatives that it is absurd. There is a PCR assay that is 95 to 98% accurate and is fast (20 minutes to run), yet many labs don't offer this assay which is horrible. Start asking your labs and hospitals about this and demanding the PCR assay tests for C. Diff.

Johns Hopkins has completely stopped using the EIA test that many hospital labs use (and that have an extremely high number of false negatives.) It's a horrible test. When the PCR assay is available, it should be used. How is it ethical to NOT use it?

Also, in all Scandinavian countries, after ONE recurrence of C. Diff, it is STANDARD practice for patients to be given a fecal infusion, which is easy, inexpensive and highly curative. They aren't having the C. Diff problems in our hospitals that we are. Wonder why? Can we move into the 21st century?

raggyann · May 27, 2011

Thank you SO much SL233! That was so extremely helpful! You are such an asset to the medical community, if only there were more like you! EXCELLENT! :up: :nurse: :yeah: :loveya:

tokmom, BSN, RN · May 27, 2011

I can't smell anymore, but it used to be like a stable or barn-like "fragrance."

Coming from farmland and having small barn animals, I have to say I love the smell of barns, horses and cows. No way does my barn smell like C diff. If it did, I would have to torch it. :lol2: