What should you avoid using as a hand rub when dealing with patients who have C. Diff?

When dealing with patients who have C. difficile (C. Diff), alcohol-based hand rubs should be avoided because they are not effective against the spores produced by C. difficile. The bacteria can form resilient spores that withstand many common disinfectants, including alcohol, which is why traditional hand hygiene methods must be applied.

In contrast, using soap and water or antimicrobial soap is effective against C. difficile. Washing hands with soap and water mechanically removes the spores from the skin, which is crucial in preventing the spread of the infection. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not have the capacity to eliminate these spores and may give a false sense of security regarding cleanliness and safety.

While glycerin-based lotion is unrelated to hand hygiene in terms of infectious control, it does not serve the purpose of germ removal. Therefore, relying on alcohol-based hand rubs in situations involving C. difficile would be ineffective, which is why handwashing with soap and water is the recommended practice in healthcare settings when dealing with such infections.