Written question asked by Nick Hurd (Conservative) on Monday, 15 December 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 December 2008. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Thursday, 18 December 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Clostridium

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines exist for the isolation of patients being checked for C. difficile infection before a diagnosis has been reached.

Answer: Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Clostridium, difficile infection by a Department of Health/Public Health Laboratory Service Joint Working Group were published in 1994. These guidelines advise that "patients with diarrhoea and suspected of infection should be isolated". The guidelines are available on the Health Protection Agency (HPA) website, link:"http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAweb AutoListName/Page/1179745281238?p=1179745281238"A copy has been placed in the Library.This guidance is currently being reviewed and the new version will be published shortly.Further detail on isolation is available in the Guidance on Isolating Patients with Healthcare Associated Infection published by the Department of Health as part of the "Saving Lives" programme in 2007. As this document emphasises,"““the correct and timely placement of infected patients (suspected or proven infection) into single rooms can be very effective in reducing the overall numbers of infected patients; it can also reduce the risk of colonisation in other patients within the ward.””"This document is available on the HPA's website at the same link as above and on the Clean, Safe care website, link:"http://www.clean-safe-care.nhs.uk/public/default.aspx?level=2&load=Tools&NodeID=181"A copy has been placed in the Library.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 485 c1089-90W; 244996
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2008-3160
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Clostridium
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk