Outbreak of Clostridium difficile ribotype 027 in a residential home

SummaryThis article reports a significant outbreak of Clostridium difficile ribotype 027 infection in a residential care home in the UK. Five of six affected residents died within one month of diagnosis. Investigation of the facility revealed problems with hand hygiene and environmental cleaning. Affected residents had received a mean of 2.7 antibiotic courses in the two months preceding diagnosis. It is important to recognize that C. difficile outbreaks can occur in residential homes. There is a need for health- and social-care systems to work closely together to assure the safety of people in their care.