What is a common precaution to take when caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile?

When caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff), wearing gloves is an essential precaution due to the risk of contact transmission of the bacteria. C. diff is a spore-forming bacterium that can survive on surfaces and is resistant to many common disinfectants. The spores can easily be transferred to healthcare providers' hands and clothing if gloves are not used.

By donning gloves when entering the patient's room and during direct contact with the patient or their environment, healthcare providers can minimize the risk of spreading the infection. It is important to ensure that gloves are removed and disposed of properly after patient contact to prevent cross-contamination.

While other precautions such as using masks or eye protection might be applicable in certain contexts, they are not specific to the transmission of C. difficile. Hand sanitizers, while useful, are not effective against the spores of C. diff, and thus, thorough handwashing with soap and water is usually recommended after glove removal. Using gloves is the primary method of protection against direct contact transmission, making it a common and critical precaution in the care of patients with C. difficile infection.