C. difficile outbreak declared at CGMH

NEWS RELEASE
COLLINGWOOD GENERAL AND MARINE HOSPITAL
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In collaboration with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU), a Clostridium difficile (C. diff) outbreak has been declared on Collingwood General and Marine Hospital’s (CGMH) medical and surgical units.

Enhanced cleaning and frequent disinfection of high-touch surfaces on both units has been implemented, in addition to supplemental disinfection of equipment through the use of portable UV light disinfection.

There are no visiting restrictions in place, but visitors to the hospital are asked to follow enhanced precautions such as:

• Wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment such as gowns, gloves in addition to masks for the duration of their visit.
• Washing their hands with soap and water at the hand washing station before entering and after leaving the patient room. Important to note: Hand sanitizer does not kill C. diff sporicides, and hand washing with soap and water is the best defence at stopping the spread.
• Visitors are not permitted to eat and/or drink in patient rooms.
• Visitors should only use public washrooms and not those located in patient rooms.
• Technology of any kind — phones, tablets, computers along with bags that cannot be cleaned and chemically disinfected — should be left at home. No one wants to transport C. diff home.
• It is advised that young children not visit patients with confirmed C. diff in the hospital.

What is C. diff?

C. diff is one of the many bacteria that can be found in feces. C. diff infection happens when antibiotics kill the good gut bacteria, which allows C. diff to multiply. When this occurs, the C. diff bacteria produces toxins that damage the gut and can cause diarrhea. C. diff is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals and nursing homes.

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