When caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile, a nurse should perform hand hygiene using soap and water, as alcohol-based sanitizers are not effective against C. difficile spores. The CDC emphasizes the importance of proper handwashing using warm water and soap for healthcare workers to prevent the spread of infections.
A nurse caring for a client with Clostridium difficile should use soap and water for hand hygiene. Alcohol-based sanitizers do not effectively kill C. difficile spores, and proper handwashing with soap is critical in preventing the spread of this bacterium.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends thorough handwashing with soap and running warm water, which involves wetting hands, applying soap, scrubbing all surfaces including between fingers and under nails, rinsing, and proper drying. It's the most effective way to remove pathogens from the hands of healthcare workers after the removal of gloves or contact with infectious agents.
In cleaning protocols for healthcare workers, strict adherence to hand hygiene is emphasized, especially after contact with bodily fluids, contaminated specimens, or infectious patients. Frequent and thorough handwashing is not just crucial for surgical procedures but also as a defense against the spread of many infectious diseases, including those caused by C. difficile. The practice involves using detergent followed by a disinfectant such as a bleach solution if necessary.