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In This Issue:
The Infection Control Department is introducing Contact Precautions Plus–new precautions to further minimize the potential for cross-transmission of C. difficile.
The differences between Contact Precautions Plus and regular Contact Precautions are:
1) Hand washing with soap and water is required for all those who have had contact with the patient or the patient's environment.
2) A hypochlorite-based disinfectant is used by Environmental Services to clean the inpatient room upon discontinuation of the precautions or patient discharge/transfer.
These changes are being implemented after consideration of recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the context of outbreaks of a highly toxigenic strain of the organism being seen in inpatient facilities throughout the country, including the greater Boston area.
As always, appropriate precautions should be implemented as soon as C.difficile-associated disease is suspected. The judicious use of antibiotics is important in minimizing the risk of symptomatic disease in colonized individuals.
For more information, visit http://handbook.partners.org and select Manuals, then BWH Infection Control Manuals or call Infection Control at ext. 2-6785.