Canada : C. difficile infection reported at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Via Ottawa Citizen :

" The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario has declared an outbreak of C. difficile after discovering three patients with the viral infection this week.

The hospital said it is working closely with Ottawa Public Health and taking all necessary steps to stop the infection from spreading. Officials are following guidelines from the provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term Care regarding handwashing and have added housekeeping resources to clean rooms, common areas and equipment more frequently with hospital grade disinfectants.

One of the C. difficile patients came to the hospital with the infection, while two acquired it in the hospital, officials said. All three were in the same ward, 4-North, when the virus was discovered and are now isolated in the same area.

Visitor restrictions are in effect for the entire unit. Staff, physicians and families are being extra vigilant with hand washing and use of gowns and gloves with infected patients."