News Release

CKHA continues focus on preventing spread of infection

Chatham-Kent -- Partnering with patients and their families in the delivery of safe, quality care, is a key priority at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.  With additional measures now in place to prevent the spread of infection, CKHA invites patients, families and visitors to be aware of hospital processes and their role, specifically related to preventing transmission of C. difficile *:

• All patients with new onset of unexplained diarrhea are tested for C. difficile toxin.
• Patients with a confirmed case of C. difficile will be in isolation (private) rooms.
• All staff, family or visitors who are providing hands on care or will have contact with the patient’s environment must wear a gown and gloves for any patient who is suspected of having C. difficile. 
• On the Medicine units, where care is typically provided for patients who have C. difficile, staff will be asking family or visitors to check in with the nursing station prior to entering patient rooms.  They will be invited to view an educational video about personal protective equipment and hand cleaning.  Patient information brochures are readily available.
• As always, strict adherence to hand cleaning will help to minimize transmission of C. difficile.  Alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred method for cleaning hands in the hospital environment and is readily available in all public areas of CKHA.
• CKHA has invested an additional $87,000 at Sydenham Campus and $40,000 at Chatham campus in equipment, supplies and facility improvement to support infection prevention and control.

What is Clostridium difficile?

* C. difficile is a germ that lives in the environment from soil and water to the bowel of about 5% of healthy people.  C. difficile is more prevalent in hospitalized patients where up to 30% may carry it without becoming sick.

When the bacteria normally present in the bowel are killed (usually from taking antibiotics) this upsets the normal balance, and can allow C. difficile to overgrow.  C. difficile produces toxins which cause diarrhea and can damage the bowel. Symptoms of C. difficile include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain or tenderness, loss of appetite, and nausea.  Most cases are mild, however severe cases may results in re-hospitalization, surgery, and in extreme cases—death.

Monitoring and public reporting of infection rates is one method of identifying areas for continual improvement.

For more information about hand hygiene and preventing the spread of infection, visit http://www.ckha.on.ca/Site_Published/internet/PF_InfectionPrevention.aspx

Media Contact:

Dr. Pierre Letarte,  519-350-4187