Clostridium difficile
Mostly a facility-acquired infection, C-diff is also developing a community-acquired strain. C-diff is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, and in its dormant state, it forms tough spores which are very difficult to kill. The spores can germinate again, causing the patient to relapse.
C-diff is spread in spore form in the hospital environment and by the hands of healthcare workers who transmit the spores to patients. Resistant to hospital disinfectants, cleaners and alcohol hand disinfectants, the spores are extremely difficult to eradicate. On surfaces, the only recommended procedure by the CDC is to use a 1:10 bleach solution, keeping the surface wet for 10 minutes. On instruments, C-diff can only be eliminated by a sterilant.
Find out more by reading the entire article at Healthcare Purchasing News
Find out more about the C diff study presented at the International Conference on Healthcare-Associated Infections.
MRSA
Common, relatively minor foot problems such as cuts, skin cracks, athlete's foot and ingrown toenails, are now found to harbor MRSA. One physician noted that he had diagnosed MRSA in a 6-year-old who had stubbed his toe. Puncture wounds, cuts from glass or seashells, and even pedicures have been the source of MRSA infections.
Find out more by reading the entire article at Infection Control Today
See what you can do to prevent MRSA at the CDC National MRSA Education Initiative web site
Infection Control Products by Unimed-Midwest, Inc.
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Liquid and Towelette Surface Disinfectants
Facility-Use Instrument Disinfectants and Sterilants
Hand Sanitizers
Bio-Safe Skin Protectant