ABC News Health Alert: Drug-Resistant Bacteria
November, 11, 2008
Experts are sounding the alarm about the growing threat from the new bacteria, Clostridium difficile. Watch video
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Prevent Clostridium difficile
Hand Hygiene Guidelines to Prevent Clostridium difficile Infections
Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) are among the most prevalent healthcare - associated infections (HAIs) in the United States today.¹ With a growing focus on patient safety initiatives and speculations that CDIs will be among the next generation of CMS reimbursement changes, there is a heightened level of concern to control and prevent these infections.
There is lack of evidence based studies on the actual cause of higher C. difficile outbreaks in recent years. Due to the fact that C. difficile spores are resistant to the bactericidal effects of alcohol, some have contributed the increased outbreaks to greater use of antiseptic handwashes and less use of soap and water. Many have contributed the rise of outbreaks to the lack of education in the proper process of reducing patient risk and exposure to C. difficile cross contamination.
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA); Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA); American Hospital Association (AHA); Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC); and The Joint Commission developed, “The Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals.” A portion of the compendium was dedicated to offering best practice guidelines in preventing CDIs.
The report recommends the following to reduce CDI risks via proper handwashing:
- Antimicrobial usage restriction
- Perform hand hygiene with soap and water, instead of alcohol-based antiseptics, after coming in contact
with C. difficile contaminated settings - Use an alcohol-based hand-hygiene product in routine settings or settings of endemicity
- Ensure that proper hand-hygiene techniques are used when handwashing with soap and water
The compendium suggests following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or World Health Organization hand hygiene techniques. The following are guided hand hygiene principles based on those leading authorities:
Proper Handwashing Techniques
Good handwashing techniques include washing your hands with soap and water as well as using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. In general, regular soap is fine for eliminating C. difficile.¹ The combination of scrubbing your hands with soap - antibacterial or not - and rinsing them with water loosens and removes bacteria from your hands.
Proper Handwashing with Soap and Water
Follow these instructions for washing with soap and water:
- Remove all jewelry
- Wet your hands and forearms with warm, running water
- Apply regular soap such as VioNexus Antimicrobial Liquid Soap. Lather well.
- Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
- Scrub all surfaces, especially thumbs, fingertips, nails, between fingers and in hand creases.
Frequently missed areas when washing hands.
- Rinse well.
- Dry hands with an air dryer or pat rather than rub hands dry with a paper towel to avoid chapping.
- Use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
- Protect your hands from dermatitis and your patients from communicable diseases by using a moisturizer that does not compromise gloving such as VioNexus No Rinse Spray.
Proper use of an Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer
When you are not exposed to C. difficile, waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizers which have alcohol content of 60% or greater like the VioNexus No Rinse Spray are great alternatives to hand washing when soap and water aren't available. VioNexus No Rinse Spray contains emollients that help prevent skin dryness as well as PCMX which provide residual kill. Using this product can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand washing.
- Click here for instructions on how to properly use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.