HELP with Cdiff in lovely 87 y/o patient

[muffin7]

I am taking care of a lovely 87 year old gentleman, with Cdiff (diarrhea and mucous in the stool). After a round of anitbiotics for a UTI d/t BPH he ended up with Cdiff. He was initially treated back in Oct. 2009, with Vanco and Flagyl. He has had four more bouts with Cdiff infection and has only been treated with only Flagyl.

He is now being treated by a Infectious Disease Doc with Vanco and Rifampin and seems to be doing MUCH better (history of dementia, HTN, BPH). The family is so pleased. Any suggestions re: diet/contact precautions that I can give the family or caregivers (he is being taken care of at home) so that this horrible infection does not return would be greatly appreciated. They are so afraid that after this Vanco/Rifampin (two weeks) that he will relapse with the infection.

I have suggested, Baby Rice Cereal, bananas, apple sauce, Activia (doc recommended), organic chix broth with noddles. Any other suggestions??? HELP!!!!!!!!

[getoverit, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Clostridium difficile is an extremely virulent bacteria. the family has to practice the UTMOST care in handwashing and general contact precautions or else it will continue to be a recurring problem.

I've been doing this a long time and I'm not too overly concerned if someone has mrsa in their nose but I don't play around with C diff.