Specially trained dogs are being used to sniff out Clostridioides difficile (C diff) to help guide environmental cleaning efforts, according to an article on the Contagion website.
C diff is especially challenging as it produces spores that are very tough to kill, which makes disinfection a hurdle.
Vancouver Coastal Health is using C diff canine scent detection. The trained dogs can detect C diff with 97% accuracy.
A Vancouver team has trained two dogs and is working on getting more through the program. The dogs also increase staff engagement and have helped reduce environmental contamination.
The Role of Positive Distraction in Pediatric Design
Healthcare Waste is Fueling America's Debt
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System to Rebrand Following Sanford Health Merger
How Digital Technologies Are Reshaping Performance in Healthcare Facilities
The Role of Plumbing in Healthcare-Associated Infections