C. difficile outbreak at Headwaters Health Care in Orangeville

On Jan. 4, after consultation with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Headwaters Health Care Centre has declared an outbreak of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile).

Headwaters has reported six patients diagnosed with C. difficile which constitutes an outbreak under the Ontario Public Health Standards guidelines.

A News release from the facility stated that the safety of Headwaters patients is the highest priority and strict infection control protocols are being followed.

“C. difficile is more prevalent in the winter months. We are seeing a larger number of C. difficile patients being admitted with this infection. The hospital is using stronger cleaners and other best practices to reduce the risks,” says Anne Augustin, Infection and Prevention Control Coordinator, Headwaters Health Care Centre.

Headwaters’ Infection Prevention and Control team is working in collaboration with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health to end the outbreak as quickly as possible. “For an outbreak to be lifted the hospital must have no new hospital acquired cases for a minimum of four weeks from the last confirmed case resolved date,” says Lucie Imbiscuso, Public Health Inspector, Control of Infectious Diseases, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

For more information, go to www.headwatershealth.ca.