Continuing Grandma’s story, she had just been diagnosed with Clostridium Difficile, a superbug known best by its abbreviation C-diff. (The references from Mayo Clinic and Scientific American given in the previous blog are very good summaries of causes, symptoms, and incidence.) Due to the prevalence of this superbug in hospitals, rehab centers, and nursing homes, it has become a major problem resulting in at least “29,000 deaths in 1 year.” (Scientific American February 25, 2015). Because of Grandma’s age, her weakened immune system from the Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and her use of the antibiotic, Ciproflaxin, she was at high risk to get C-diff. Add in the fact that the rehab staff utilized insufficient precautions to prevent cross contamination of C-diff. (which was already infecting patients within the facility) and Grandma‘s risks went even higher.
As mentioned in the previous blog, when Grandma got the diagnosis of having C-diff. she was moved into the room that was across the hall from her original room. This new room was thoroughly cleaned and prepared for her to be in isolation. (Special precautions need to be taken and special cleaners need to be used due to the contagious nature of C-diff.)
Unfortunately, Grandma’s roommate from her original room was not told of Grandma’s diagnosis, even though they had shared the same restroom. A day or two after Grandma was moved, I went back to speak to her roommate and told her that Grandma had C-diff. and told her to ask for special cleaning, etc. in the room and bathroom to lessen her chance of becoming infected. A new patient had already been assigned to Grandma’s old bed. According to Grandma’s original roommate, no one had told the new patient anything about the presence of C-diff. nor had the staff done anything special other than the normal cleaning.
The first appointment that I could make with the Director of Nursing was two days after Grandma’s diagnosis. She didn’t appear to be concerned about Grandma but I told her that I had a son at home with seizures and a compromised immune system and that I absolutely could not be taking this bacteria home with me.
She recommended that I not take Grandma’s clothes home to wash in my home washing machine. The facility’s laundry would handle the washing of Grandma’s clothes. Her clothes would be washed separately from the other resident’s clothes. She also gave me the name of the special disinfectant wipes that they use at the facility to clean. It is the only thing that can kill the C-diff. bacteria. This is a hydrogen peroxide wipe named PDI Super SANI-CLOTH Germicidal Disposable Wipe. (See picture below) GLOVES must be worn when using these wipes! See website for details (there is a link below). Regular bleach alone and regular wipes do not kill C-diff. Hospital grade disinfectant bleach will kill C-diff..
We discussed some other precautions that should be taken. She told me that hiring my own CNA to sit with Grandma was not necessary. I mentioned that from what I was reading about C-diff, Grandma needed a special probiotic, and some dietary changes that I wanted to begin right away. She gave permission for the dietary changes and by the end of the day she gave me the ordering information about the special wipes.
As mentioned in the previous blog, when Grandma got the diagnosis of having C-diff. she was moved into the room that was across the hall from her original room. This new room was thoroughly cleaned and prepared for her to be in isolation. (Special precautions need to be taken and special cleaners need to be used due to the contagious nature of C-diff.)
Unfortunately, Grandma’s roommate from her original room was not told of Grandma’s diagnosis, even though they had shared the same restroom. A day or two after Grandma was moved, I went back to speak to her roommate and told her that Grandma had C-diff. and told her to ask for special cleaning, etc. in the room and bathroom to lessen her chance of becoming infected. A new patient had already been assigned to Grandma’s old bed. According to Grandma’s original roommate, no one had told the new patient anything about the presence of C-diff. nor had the staff done anything special other than the normal cleaning.
The first appointment that I could make with the Director of Nursing was two days after Grandma’s diagnosis. She didn’t appear to be concerned about Grandma but I told her that I had a son at home with seizures and a compromised immune system and that I absolutely could not be taking this bacteria home with me.
She recommended that I not take Grandma’s clothes home to wash in my home washing machine. The facility’s laundry would handle the washing of Grandma’s clothes. Her clothes would be washed separately from the other resident’s clothes. She also gave me the name of the special disinfectant wipes that they use at the facility to clean. It is the only thing that can kill the C-diff. bacteria. This is a hydrogen peroxide wipe named PDI Super SANI-CLOTH Germicidal Disposable Wipe. (See picture below) GLOVES must be worn when using these wipes! See website for details (there is a link below). Regular bleach alone and regular wipes do not kill C-diff. Hospital grade disinfectant bleach will kill C-diff..
We discussed some other precautions that should be taken. She told me that hiring my own CNA to sit with Grandma was not necessary. I mentioned that from what I was reading about C-diff, Grandma needed a special probiotic, and some dietary changes that I wanted to begin right away. She gave permission for the dietary changes and by the end of the day she gave me the ordering information about the special wipes.