You observe a nurse aide removing her gloves and using alcohol hand sanitizer in a room with a patient who has C-Diff. What education should you provide?

When dealing with Clostridioides difficile (C-Diff) infections, it is critical to understand the appropriate infection control measures. While alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective against many pathogens, they are not sufficient to eliminate C-Diff spores from hands. C-Diff is a spore-forming bacterium, and its spores are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers.

Washing hands with soap and water is mandatory in this situation because it physically removes the spores from the skin, providing a far more effective means of preventing the spread of the infection. The thorough mechanical action of handwashing with soap and water is essential in breaking down and removing the spores that could lead to further transmission.

Thus, ensuring that healthcare providers, including nurse aides, are educated on the necessity of handwashing in cases of C-Diff is crucial for maintaining patient safety and preventing outbreaks in healthcare settings.