The real story should be told about those who have C-Diff. Sure it is understandable to be Separated from others as not to spread, but what some don't mention is that the patient is treated like a leper even by medical staff.
You can see different attitudes when some medical folks have to go into a room of someone with C-Diff.
The same is probably happening in some hospitals to those diagnosed with COVID as well.
The facility should require gowns and gloves, and I hope staff is wearing them! YOU can require PPE to be worn prior to entering the room. This includes staff as well as visitors if staff is not wearing PPE. As what to tell people. ... "Due to an infection mom is in a weakened condition and we are taking extra precautions. We do not want visitors to become ill nor do we want mom to pick up any other illnesses." or: "Mom just came out of the hospital and we want her to get her strength up so we are taking precautions to protect her"
I do not understand why you are hesitant to inform people that this is the reason for extra precautions. If you are protecting moms privacy that I understand. ( But would you hesitate if mom had tested positive for COVID, got Shingles ? ) This is not a "shameful" condition. What is shameful is that this is something that she picked up in a hospital. And something that most likely could have been avoided IF all employees were following proper procedures and washing their hands when LEAVING one room and upon ENTERING another patients room. And if you do not see staff washing their hands when entering the room you have the right to TELL them that they need to wash. (and properly wash) If a sink is available they should wash if a sink is not available sanitizer is acceptable IF it is used correctly.
"...Facility does not enforce gowns and gloves before entering room although sign posted and PPE available..." Are you wearing PPE when you visit? Are staff wearing PPE when they go into her room?
I’m not sure what aspect of your mother’s privacy you feel is important to protect. As long as you are doing everything possible to protect your mother herself, and your mother’s welfare, you are doing the right thing.
If it makes a difference to someone whom you think is “close” to you and/or your mother who you think would would have the nerve to enter her facility in less than tip-top shape, PUT HER SAFETY FIRST.
How ridiculous can this get? Neither C-Diff NOR COVID are sources of embarrassment. They are SERIOUS DISEASES.
Tell people she has whatever you want to OR NOTHING AT ALL, if you don’t absolutely trust their ability to be honest about their health when coming to visit a potentially fragile woman.
But THEN AGAIN, why visit if there is a reasonable expectation of her return home, presumably to more relaxed circumstances than her present care setting?
Sorry I wasn't clear, then couldn't find my post. LOL Family and friends keep asking why is Mom in isolation. Do I need to tell everyone she has CDiff ? I want to protect her privacy but also want others to be safe. Facility does not enforce gowns and gloves before entering room although sign posted and PPE available. How have others handled this? I want to be honest that she has very contagious infection and I advise those who are sick not to visit at this time.
I think some people area more private and protective of their health issues and I think you are trying to respect what you feel would be your moms choices for privacy?
Cdiff is serious and can be dangerous so With that - I agree that other people should have the choice to know the risks. I would just say that at this time a bacteria is suspected from antibiotic use and until they can confirm and clear mom that you don’t suggest visits as it’s easily transmissible and that you will give them updates when she is cleared.
Though I would also be concerned that they are not enforcing gowns and gloves - are the staff wearing them when caring for mom? That is not protocol anywhere that I know of as it compromises everyone in the nursing home some who are very weak and may not survive Cdiff. One place Mom was in had an outbreak and they put the patient in a very isolated room and then they removed everything from this persons room while they cleaned it - including all furniture and they use some heavy duty cleaning products (and it has be said that even those products don’t always kill it) and the cart outside the room so that everyone that entered had to be gowned up.
It is probably best while mom is infected that 1 or 2 family members see her and check on her but until the infection is gone no visitors.
"Contact Precautions mean: Whenever possible, patients with C. diff will have a single room or share a room only with someone else who also has C. diff. o Healthcare providers will put on gloves and wear a gown over their clothing while taking care of patients with C."
"How long will I stay in isolation and need these precautions? Once the diarrhoea has settled for a minimum period of 48 hours, you will no longer be considered infectious."
You can see different attitudes when some medical folks have to go into a room of someone with C-Diff.
The same is probably happening in some hospitals to those diagnosed with COVID as well.
YOU can require PPE to be worn prior to entering the room. This includes staff as well as visitors if staff is not wearing PPE.
As what to tell people. ...
"Due to an infection mom is in a weakened condition and we are taking extra precautions. We do not want visitors to become ill nor do we want mom to pick up any other illnesses."
or:
"Mom just came out of the hospital and we want her to get her strength up so we are taking precautions to protect her"
I do not understand why you are hesitant to inform people that this is the reason for extra precautions. If you are protecting moms privacy that I understand. ( But would you hesitate if mom had tested positive for COVID, got Shingles ? ) This is not a "shameful" condition. What is shameful is that this is something that she picked up in a hospital. And something that most likely could have been avoided IF all employees were following proper procedures and washing their hands when LEAVING one room and upon ENTERING another patients room. And if you do not see staff washing their hands when entering the room you have the right to TELL them that they need to wash. (and properly wash) If a sink is available they should wash if a sink is not available sanitizer is acceptable IF it is used correctly.
I’m not sure what aspect of your mother’s privacy you feel is important to protect. As long as you are doing everything possible to protect your mother herself, and your mother’s welfare, you are doing the right thing.
If it makes a difference to someone whom you think is “close” to you and/or your mother who you think would would have the nerve to enter her facility in less than tip-top shape, PUT HER SAFETY FIRST.
How ridiculous can this get? Neither C-Diff NOR COVID are sources of embarrassment. They are SERIOUS DISEASES.
Tell people she has whatever you want to OR NOTHING AT ALL, if you don’t absolutely trust their ability to be honest about their health when coming to visit a potentially fragile woman.
But THEN AGAIN, why visit if there is a reasonable expectation of her return home, presumably to more relaxed circumstances than her present care setting?
Hoping Mom is feeling better soon.
Cdiff is serious and can be dangerous so With that - I agree that other people should have the choice to know the risks. I would just say that at this time a bacteria is suspected from antibiotic use and until they can confirm and clear mom that you don’t suggest visits as it’s easily transmissible and that you will give them updates when she is cleared.
Though I would also be concerned that they are not enforcing gowns and gloves - are the staff wearing them when caring for mom?
That is not protocol anywhere that I know of as it compromises everyone in the nursing home some who are very weak and may not survive Cdiff.
One place Mom was in had an outbreak and they put the patient in a very isolated room and then they removed everything from this persons room while they cleaned it - including all furniture and they use some heavy duty cleaning products (and it has be said that even those products don’t always kill it) and the cart outside the room so that everyone that entered had to be gowned up.
It is probably best while mom is infected that 1 or 2 family members see her and check on her but until the infection is gone no visitors.
"Contact Precautions mean: Whenever possible, patients with C. diff will have a single room or share a room only with someone else who also has C. diff. o Healthcare providers will put on gloves and wear a gown over their clothing while taking care of patients with C."
"How long will I stay in isolation and need these precautions? Once the diarrhoea has settled for a minimum period of 48 hours, you will no longer be considered infectious."
This is guidance from the Cleveland Clinic:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15548-c-diff-clostridioides-difficile-infection