C. difficile Toolkit for LTCF
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Contact Info
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
Make a Team
Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile Toolkit for Long-term Care Facilities
Preventing and managing CDI in a LTCF requires coordination among many stakeholders. Having an interdisciplinary team facilitates a swift and thorough response.
Environmental Services
- Communicate with Infection Prevention regarding cleaning and disinfection processes and protocols
- Ensure resources are in place to maintain equipment and fabric
- Ensure that existing and new buildings, furniture, and equipment can be properly cleaned and disinfected
- Ensure adequate hand hygiene (i.e., soap and water) and toilet facilities are available
- Ensure systems are in place to respond promptly to defects of buildings and equipment
- Ensure cleaning schedules are in place including frequency of cleaning
- Ensure defined terminal cleaning protocols in place are briefed to staff and implemented when required
Pharmacy
- Support and advise Antimicrobial Management Teams on antimicrobial prescribing and implementation of stewardship program
Administration
- Ensure that proper policies are in place and are communicated to all staff
- Create clear paths of communication between all team members
- Dedicate human, financial, and information resources
Resident Care Staff
- Properly use contact precautions while interacting with the resident
- Properly use isolation precautions while interacting with the resident
- Provide residents and their guests with relevant information
Laboratory
- Ensure that laboratory antimicrobial reporting procedures support facility antimicrobial policy and stewardship
- Follow proper C. difficile diagnostic test and surveillance procedures
- Support and advise clinical staff and physicians on testing and interpretation of results for CDI Provide and interpret laboratory data to inform the Antimicrobial Stewardship Team
Medical Staff
- Properly use contact precautions while caring for the resident
- Properly use isolation precautions while caring for the resident
- Provide residents and their guests with relevant information
- Follow clinical best practices for treatment
Infection Prevention
- Ensure clinical staff is following infection control protocols
- Ensure staff is using contact and isolation precautions, as necessary
- Conduct CDI surveillance
Last Updated: 06/12/2023