This study provides a unique insight into compliance with
infection prevention and control guidance for suspected
C. difficile infection in care homes.7 Our data show that
inadequate infection control practices in relation to diarrhoea
are very common in care homes. Current recommendations
state that residents should be isolated immediately,
yet less than a quarter of homes immediately isolate residents
with potentially infectious diarrhoea and some never
isolate. Although potentially infectious stool samples should
be sent for testing immediately, samples are often being sent
to the laboratory once the resident has had diarrhoea for
over 24 h, with some homes waiting up to 48 h.