Clostridioides Difficile guide

What is Clostridioides difficile?

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is one of the many types of bacteria that can be found in the bowel (previously known as Clostridium difficile). It can cause inflammation of the bowel and diarrhoea.

Older people and those who have been treated with antibiotics are most at risk.

How may I get it?

Antibiotics or bowel surgery may disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the bowel and allow C. diff bacteria to multiply.

What happens if you have C. diff in hospital?

If you have diarrhoea you will be asked to move into a side room. You will be given either a designated toilet or the use of a commode.

Staff will wear aprons and gloves when they enter the side room. The hand rub will be removed as it is not the most effective way of cleaning hands contaminated with C. diff.

You must wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating. If you cannot wash your hands the nurse looking after you should assist you. Please encourage your visitors to do the same.

How is C diff treated?

If you are taking antibiotics they will be reviewed and may be stopped. Your doctor may decide to give specific antibiotics to treat C. diff.

It is important you drink plenty of fluids to replace the salts lost while having diarrhoea. You must let nursing staff know each time you go to the toilet to have your bowels open so they can monitor you closely.

What happens after treatment?

If you have a relapse of diarrhoea and pain, and you are still in hospital, tell the nurse immediately. If you are at home, contact your GP for advice.

An alert will be placed on your hospital records which will alert healthcare staff of your previous infection. Therefore, if you need antibiotics, you can be given the correct treatment.

How does C. diff spread?

C. diff is spread through the faeces of infected individuals. The bacteria can survive on surfaces for a long time and can be transferred to hands and then ingested. 

Surfaces like toilets, sinks, door handles, and even clothing can become contaminated and spread the bacteria. 

How to stop the spread

The following measures will help prevent infection from spreading:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water and dry on a clean paper towel after going to the toilet and before handling food or drink. Advise your close family and friends to do the same
• Do not be afraid to ask staff if they have washed their hands.

Can I have visitors?

Yes, you can. Your visitors will need to wash their hands with soap and water when entering and leaving your room.

They are not required to wear an apron or gloves unless helping you with your care needs. If your visitors are visiting other sick people in the hospital, please ask them to visit you last.

C. diff can affect anybody. People who are at greater risk of contracting C diff are:

• People with a weakened immune system by illness
• Those taking antibiotics
• Those over 65 years of age
• Those with a recent hospital admission
• Those who have had surgery on the stomach or/and the bowel
• People taking medication to reduce stomach acid
• People who have had a C. diff infection in the past.

Laundry

Patient’s laundry can be taken home and washed as normal. If your own clothing does become soiled it will be placed in a plastic bag in the locker to be taken by relatives and laundered.

Wash these clothes separately on the hottest wash suitable for the garment. The plastic bag should be discarded and the person handling any laundry should wash and dry their hands thoroughly.

What happens when I am discharged home?

Complete your course of CDI (C. diff Infection) treatment as directed by the hospital.

If you still have symptoms, such as diarrhoea:

• Ensure you drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration
• Wash your hands with soap and water often, particularly after using the toilet and when preparing food
• Clean household surfaces frequently using disinfectant.

Contact your GP if your symptoms do not go away, or they come back, even after treatment.

What is Mersey Care doing to prevent and control C. diff?

We work hard to prevent and control all infections, this includes:

• training staff
• having procedures for staff to follow
• ensuring the hospital/clinics are cleaned to a high standard
• regular audits/spot checks to monitor cleaning standards
• we monitor the prescribing of antibiotics to ensure they are prescribed appropriately and only used when required.

Further information

You can also visit the following websites, which discuss antibiotics and the importance of using them responsibly:

• Patient Info
• Antibiotic Guardian.

Our patients matter

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.

If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and LiaisonService (PALS) and Complaints Team.

Telephone: 0151 471 2377 Freephone: 0800 328 2941 Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk