Clostridium difficile colonies are seen after 48hrs growth on a blood agar plat.
Hospital trying to find cause of outbreak of C. difficile
June 04, 2008
Staff Reporter
Officials at St. Michael's Hospital are trying to identify what caused an outbreak of a potentially deadly bacterial infection called C. difficile, which has left 25 patients in isolation.
So far seven cases have been confirmed in patients in the cardiovascular ICU at the hospital. The other 18 patients are being held as a precaution because they were being treated in the same unit where the breakout was detected, said Julie Saccone, a spokesperson for St. Michael's.
Since the outbreak was discovered, 12 cardiovascular surgeries have been cancelled in an attempt to make sure the bacteria does not spread, said Saccone.
The rest of the hospital is operating under normal conditions, but patients from other facilities are being denied access into the cardiovascular unit.
"We are requiring two negative tests of the bacteria, one week apart, before we actually remove the patients who have tested positive from isolation, and before we lift any of the contact precautions," said Saccone, adding anyone in contact with patients is required to wear gowns and gloves, and only one person is allowed to visit at a time.
Officials say it's still safe to come into the hospital if you have appointments, as the C. difficile outbreak has been limited to the cardiovascular ICU.