What it means
A bacterium that can take over the colon when antibiotics have killed off the normal bowel bacteria, causing watery diarrhea and, at its worst, severe colitis. It forms spores that survive for months on surfaces and are not killed by alcohol hand rub, which is why it spreads easily in hospitals and care homes.
For the nurse
Use contact precautions: a gown and gloves for every entry and dedicated equipment. Wash hands with soap and water, because alcohol-based rub does not remove the spores, and clean the room with a bleach-based (sporicidal) product.
In a chart
"Stool positive for C. difficile toxin; contact precautions started."
Remember it
Difficile is French for difficult: a difficult bug to wash off.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | C. diff; CDI (C. difficile infection) |
|---|---|
| Also written | C. diff, C diff, Clostridioides difficile, Clostridium difficile |