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Discussion

Zosyn to prevent C-diff to spread?

I had a comfort care patient who died yesterday. She was C-Diff pos and still on Zosyn. I was discussing with the family their wishes, and they didn't want her on antibiotics. They told me that the nurse yesterday told them that the Zosyn was being given to prevent the C-diff from spreading.

First of all, we usually give Flagyl for C-diff. Secondly, I've never heard of an antibiotic being purely given to prevent the spread of something that a dying patient has. The patient was already on Enteric Contact Precautions, I thought that was to prevent the spread of C-diff.

Any imput to clarify would be appreciated. The weekend hospitalist had put the patient on Zosyn, I couldn't find a reason in the progress notes. I got the Zosyn cancelled by the Primary. He initially wrote "DC Flagyl" but I pointed out that it was Zosyn, even he was surprised.

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Zosyn doesn't treat C-Diff. But it seems to be the antibiotic of the month.

  • Author
Zosyn doesn't treat C-Diff. But it seems to be the antibiotic of the month.

I wonder if the nurse who told the family this was misinformed? I think the zosyn might have been prescribed for something else. The woman was in kidney failure and had bilateral pleural effusions. It was probably prescribed on admit, but then she was made comfort care.

Flagyll or Vanco is what is used to treat C diff. I think the nurse who told the family that the Zosyn was being used to treat the C diff was misinformed or assumed that it was prescribed for that.

Enteric Contact Precautions and using soap and water to wash hands, NOT THE SANITIZERS, will prevent the spread. Hand sanitizers are useless in preventing the spread of C diff because they form heat resistant spores. Disinfectants containing bleach are effective in destroying these spores. Also we are required to gown and glove when caring for C diff positive patients, use disposable equipment or have equipment we can leave in the room, and have Clorox wipes in the room.

  • Author
Flagyll or Vanco is what is used to treat C diff. I think the nurse who told the family that the Zosyn was being used to treat the C diff was misinformed or assumed that it was prescribed for that.

Enteric Contact Precautions and using soap and water to wash hands, NOT THE SANITIZERS, will prevent the spread. Hand sanitizers are useless in preventing the spread of C diff because they form heat resistant spores. Disinfectants containing bleach are effective in destroying these spores. Also we are required to gown and glove when caring for C diff positive patients, use disposable equipment or have equipment we can leave in the room, and have Clorox wipes in the room.

Thanks for mentioning that, I don't think the word is out on that fact. Soap and water for C-Diff!!! Yes, we gown and glove for caring for these patients.

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