C-diff outbreak over thanks to PPE

The outbreak of hospital superbug Clostridium Difficile in Northern Ireland is over, partly due to improved use of personal protection equipment, it has been announced.

According to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, there were 11 cases of C-diff in August - the lowest number in more than 20 months.

Norma Evans, chief executive of the Trust, said it had been a 'really challenging time' for staff, particularly because the strain of C-diff in question is more virulent and likely to return than other forms.

'We developed approaches to the containment of infection through specialist nursing procedures and use of personal protection equipment,' she explained, adding that visitors to hospitals have also been required to take precautions.

Patients most at risk of developing c-diff are those who have been treated with broad spectrum antibiotics, especially those who have serious underlying illnesses, the Department of Health has revealed.

While some people can be healthy carriers of the disease, infection generally takes place through cross-infection with another patient.


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