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Technical Bulletin

Scientific and Technical Support Group

Micro-Scientific Industries

November, 2003

 

Prevention of Environmental Cross-Contamination

 with Clostridium difficile bacteria

using Opti-Cide 3® Disinfecting Cleaner

Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming, Gram-positive rod. Concerns relating to outbreaks and colonization with C. difficile have been reported from hospitals and long-term facilities for the past decade. Endemic infections due to C. difficile have identified that patient-to-patient transmission of this microorganism can occur via hands, contaminated patient-care equipment or environmental surfaces.

Recommendations for Control and Prevention:

  • Facilities with endemic C. difficile should focus control efforts on intensive care units and other areas where the transmission rate is highest. Such units may serve as a reservoir of C. difficile enabling spread to other units when patients are transferred.
  • In facilities with ongoing C. difficile transmission, assess the adequacy and frequency of cleaning procedures for disinfecting environmental surfaces such as bedrails, carts, doorknobs, faucet handles, toilet seats, computer terminals, knobs of electronic equipment such patient-care monitors and bedside commodes and ensure procedure compliance. Surviving C. difficile exposed to the air on surfaces for periods exceeding 4- 6 hours will form spores rendering them impossible to kill on environmental surfaces. Frequent cleaning and disinfection will help to reduce transmission by killing C. difficile bacteria prior to its ability to form spores. CDC guidelines recommend the use of an EPA registered disinfectant for cleaning against C.difficile.
  • If possible, dedicate the use of medical equipment and devices to a single patient or cohort. If such items are used between patients, clean and disinfect them thoroughly and frequently, at least every four (4) hours, using Opti-Cide3 cleaner disinfectant solution as per it’s labeled instructions.

Extensive environmental contamination with C.difficile has been noted in some studies. A recent laboratory study sponsored by Micro-Scientific Industries verified the ability of Opti-Cide3 brand cleaner disinfectant (EPA Registration Number 70144-1) to kill C. difficile within 3 minutes at 20°C/69°F. by methods of the AOAC Germicidal Spray Test.

References:

Lozniewski, A, Rabaud, Dotto, E, et al.  Laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea and colitis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2001; 39 (5): 996-998

Johnson, S, and Gerding, DN. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 1998; 26 (5): 1027-1036

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization, Clostridium difficile, Infection Control Guidelines for Long Term Care Facilities 2003

McDonald, S, Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea Facts. The Kinston General Hospital Infection Control Service, 2002

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDS’s Issue is Healthcare Settings, Gastrointestinal Infections, Control of Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease (CDAD) 2003