A recent study has shown that Clostridium difficile (C. Diff) remained on surfaces — surgical gowns — even after cleaning, according to an article on the MedPage website.
After recommended treatment with disinfectant, C. difficile spores were found on hospital surgical gowns, as well as on stainless steel and vinyl flooring, researchers said.
The spores of the bacteria were able to grow after decontamination. This shows that spores are becoming resistant, according to the study.
"We've known for a long time that C. difficile spores persist in healthcare environments for weeks or months, presumably despite ongoing cleaning activities, [but] studies to test the effect of sporicidal agents on C. difficile incidence have been somewhat conflicting, with benefits mostly being demonstrated in outbreak rather than non-outbreak settings," the authors said.
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