Even without a reported case, Hospital keeping close watch on C. difficile

Wash your hands.

That’s the most important step to preventing the spread of infectious diseases, said Diana Gowanlock, an infection control practitioner at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The hospital follows all of the province’s best practice guidelines and has an active Clostridium difficile surveillance program to prevent an outbreak like the one that has killed more than 20 people in Southern Ontario.

The hospital has not had an outbreak of C. difficile since it began public reporting in 2008.
"We do monitor it quite closely," Gowanlock said.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint why the hospital hasn’t had an outbreak, Gowanlock credits staff with being able to respond to affected patients quickly. The modern layout of the hospital, equipped with more hand washing stations and private bathrooms than older hospitals, also helps.

"We are lucky that there are more hand washing sinks throughout the building and with patients that are on precautions they have their own bathroom," she said. "They’re not shared so definitely that would make a huge difference especially with the private bathroom."

If an outbreak did occur, the hospital would follow its outbreak procedure, which would include isolating infected patients and keeping the same staff members to look after them. Along with gown and gloves, staff members would also be tasked with extra housekeeping.

Gowanlock said people should be constantly reminded of the importance of hand hygiene, not only for C. difficile but overall health.

"I think hand hygiene should be way out there in the media. It should be reinforced for all things.”

Hospitals have to report C. difficile numbers under provincial legislation.

C. difficile is bacteria that causes severe diarrhea. It typically occurs during or after using antibiotics.

It is referred to as a superbug and can be difficult to treat.

C. difficile numbers, along with other Patient Safety Indicators, from the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre can be found online.