There has been an increased emphasis on the role the environment can play in harboring and serving as a potential transmission source for Clostridium difficile spores, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) in collaboration with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American Hospital Association, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Joint Commission and others published updated practice recommendations on strategies to prevent C. diff infections in acute care hospitals.

Because C. diff bacteria have a hard shell that enables these organisms to survive for months on such patient room surfaces as tables, floors, bedrails and toilets, proper cleaning processes must continue to be emphasized to environmental services professionals, the recommendations said.

Unless thorough cleaning with sufficient friction or “elbow grease” and proper disinfectants are applied for the correct amount of time, C. diff spores can remain on surfaces and be transferred easily from infected patients to caregivers and, ultimately, to other patients, the article said.

Read the article.