Make a Team
Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile Toolkit for Long-term Care Facilities

Preventing and managing CDI in a LTCF requires coordination among many stakeholders. Having an interdisciplinary team facilitates a swift and thorough response.

Environmental Services

• Communicate with Infection Prevention regarding cleaning and disinfection processes and protocols
• Ensure resources are in place to maintain equipment and fabric
• Ensure that existing and new buildings, furniture, and equipment can be properly cleaned and disinfected
• Ensure adequate hand hygiene (i.e., soap and water) and toilet facilities are available
• Ensure systems are in place to respond promptly to defects of buildings and equipment
• Ensure cleaning schedules are in place including frequency of cleaning
• Ensure defined terminal cleaning protocols in place are briefed to staff and implemented when required

Pharmacy

• Support and advise Antimicrobial Management Teams on antimicrobial prescribing and implementation of stewardship program

Administration

• Ensure that proper policies are in place and are communicated to all staff
• Create clear paths of communication between all team members
• Dedicate human, financial, and information resources

Resident Care Staff

• Properly use contact precautions while interacting with the resident
• Properly use isolation precautions while interacting with the resident
• Provide residents and their guests with relevant information

Laboratory

• Ensure that laboratory antimicrobial reporting procedures support facility antimicrobial policy and stewardship
• Follow proper C. difficile diagnostic test and surveillance procedures
• Support and advise clinical staff and physicians on testing and interpretation of results for CDI Provide and interpret laboratory data to inform the Antimicrobial Stewardship Team

Medical Staff

• Properly use contact precautions while caring for the resident
• Properly use isolation precautions while caring for the resident
• Provide residents and their guests with relevant information
• Follow clinical best practices for treatment

Infection Prevention

• Ensure clinical staff is following infection control protocols
• Ensure staff is using contact and isolation precautions, as necessary
• Conduct CDI surveillance