Nanaimo Regional General Hospital C Diff Outbreak Declared Over

The outbreak was declared on March 29, 2010 after physicians and staff noted higher numbers of Clostridium Difficile (C. difficile) cases at NRGH. The presence of C. difficile in hospital settings is not new and is not unique to VIHA; it presents challenges to health care providers throughout the industrialized world.

Declaring the outbreak ensured staff, physicians, patients and visitors had heightened awareness and vigilance, particularly around increased infection control practices. These included:

• Enhanced cleaning, including hand washing and additional cleaning of patient areas, toilets, beds, and equipment. 
• Increased surveillance and monitoring
• Placing patients in private rooms, or co-horting affected patients

VIHA initially declared the outbreak when it was noted that over a four week time period there was an increase from 8 to 14 hospital acquired cases. Usually an average of five patients at any one time may have C. difficile at NRGH.

In total, this outbreak involved 49 hospital acquired cases.  In two of these cases C difficile was attributed to the death of the patient and in another two cases C difficile was a contributing factor.   All patients had underlying conditions.

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Media Contact: 
Anya Nimmon
VIHA Communications
250-740-6980