Specially trained dogs are being used to sniff out Clostridioides difficile (C diff) to help guide environmental cleaning efforts, according to an article on the Contagion website.
C diff is especially challenging as it produces spores that are very tough to kill, which makes disinfection a hurdle.
Vancouver Coastal Health is using C diff canine scent detection. The trained dogs can detect C diff with 97% accuracy.
A Vancouver team has trained two dogs and is working on getting more through the program. The dogs also increase staff engagement and have helped reduce environmental contamination.
Rethinking Carpeting's Role in Senior Care Facilities
Parkview Health Breaks Ground on New Hospital in West Lafayette, IN
Loma Linda University Health Experiences Data Breach via AI Tool
Inside One of Healthcare's Most Ambitious Hospital Projects 
Turning Condensate Loss into a Systemwide Steam Efficiency Opportunity