This is where hospital cleanliness is so bloody important. My cousin nearly died of it a few years ago and is not allowed antibiotics in case they dampen his good bacteria the C. Diff will return.
The spores are really difficult to kill as they're found everywhere and are resistant to some methods of disinfection. However, there are still many ways they can kill C. Diff but cleaning has to be consistent and thorough. They could fog with Dew is it's active against it as is good old bleach. Every hospital I've been in or seen on telly has a packet of green Clinell wipes just about everywhere yet I've never seen the red packs that will kill C.Diff spores. Would I sound horribly judgemental if I put it down to laziness as the red wipes are dry but need wetting before use and that's harder than pulling a wet wipe out?
In my cousin's case, his wife watched the cleaner wipe his bathroom down (including the toilet) then start cleaning his room (including his table) with the same cloth! He'd been given a private room as the hospital had a high rate of C.Diff infections and he was at risk as he'd had a good part of his bowel removed and was on long-term antibiotics.
His consultant had done a stint on the derm ward years ago where they would give patients with eczema bleach baths. He advised my cousin to have one of these with dilute thin bleach or Milton every day for a week after getting home and told his wife all bedding and clothes either had to be soaked in Milton or hot-washed or he'd risk re-infecting himself and possibly the rest of the household. He also mentioned burning the clothes he'd worn in hospital and taking everything home in a bin bag so that could be dumped. He said it in a joking manner but my cousin's wife took his advice.
If I'd been in I think I'd do the Milton bath for a week just in case anyway! I know I over-react but people these days are so lazy about hygiene.
They could drastically cut rates in hospital but it would mean deep-cleaning each room and ward while empty and this would be difficult with patients in. But let's face it, it should never have been allowed to get this bad in the first place. Cleaning is so poor in hospitals I shudder at the thought of having to stay in one. I think the bosses of all hospitals should be made to stay in one of their wards for a few nights to see if they think they're acceptable.
