This clinical audit examines the prevention of cross contamination of Clostridium difficile at Citizens Hospital from 2022-2023. The audit aims to ensure early isolation of C. difficile positive patients, educate staff on prevention precautions, and adhere to infection control guidelines. Among the 12 C. difficile positive patients audited, all required cross contamination precautions were promptly followed by staff, including proper isolation, use of PPE, hand hygiene, and cleaning/disinfection of equipment. The results showed no instances of cross contamination from these patients. Teamwork and staff education on prevention strategies were emphasized.
2. PREVENTION OF CROSS CONTAMINATION
OF CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE
Persons Responsible : Dr B. GANGA BHAVANI (CCM Resident)
Dr CH. BALA SUBRAHMANYAM (CCM Consultant)
Department : Critical Care Medicine
3. Aims and objectives
● Clostridium difficile is a serious and highly infectious colitis. In recent
decades the incidence and mortality rates from C difficile have increased, due
to both virulence factors and widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
● There is strong evidence that good clinical care of these patients reduces
morbidity, mortality and helps to limit cross-infection.
● Goal is to initiate early isolation of C difficile positive patient, educate the
staff to follow cross contamination prevention precautions ,sanitizing the
rooms, initiate infection control and strict adherence to PPE .
4. Reference for Standards
Guidelines for the prevention of cross contamination of clostridium difficle has
been taken from IDSA 2017 clinical practice guidelines for clostridium difficile
infection in adults and children.
5. Methodology Audit tool
Size of sample 12
Duration 1 year
Population Clostridium difficile positive
patients in citizens hospital
Description ● Using audit tool
● Clostridium positive patients
in citizens hospital
● Assessed whether cross
contamination prevention
precautions were taken in
clostridium difficle positive
patients.
AUDIT ON PREVENTION OF CROSS CONTAMINATION IN CLOSTRIDIUM
POSITIVE PATIENTS
Name :
Age :
Sex :
MR NO :
Diagnosis :
Clostridium positive on :
Clostridium toxin A/B or GDH or both :
Is patient isolated :
Is health personnel using gloves and gowns :
Are pre emptive contact precautions taken :
Are contact precautions taken atleast 48hrs after resolution :
Hand hygiene before and after contact of a patient :
Are patients encouraged to wash there hands :
Is disposable equipment used :
Is reusable equipment thoroughly cleaned and disinfected :
6. RESULTS
Among 12 patients audited ,cross contamination has not been caused by any
of the 12 patients.
All required cross contamination precautions were taken promptly.
All staff were trained and educated on infection prevention strategies with the
emphasis on C diff prevention efforts.
Hand hygiene and PPE compliance were reinforced and directly observed to
evaluate and support best practices and techniques.
7. 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Is patient
isolated
Is health
personnel
using gloves
and gowns
Are pre
emptive
contact
precautions
taken
Are contact
precaution
staken for
atleast 48 hrs
after
resolution
Hand hygiene
before and
after contact
of a patient
Are patients
encouraged to
wash there
hands
Is disposable
equipment
used
Is reusable
equipment
thoroughly
cleaned and
disinfected?
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE CROSS CONTAMINATION
PREVENTION PRECAUTIONS
8. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INTERVENTIONS
Teamwork among the staff and a clear understanding of the responsibilities
they hold towards cleaning, disinfecting, stocking supplies, efficient
communication, and complying with the policies and procedures of hand
hygiene and PPE compliance lead to prevention of clostridium difficle cross
contamination.