Effectiveness of routine patient bathing to decrease the burden of spores on the skin of patients with Clostridium difficile infection.

For 74 patients with Clostridium difficile infection, the quality and frequency of bathing was often limited because of such factors as the presence of devices, decreased mobility, and pain. Routine bathing practices had limited efficacy in decreasing the burden of spores on skin; however, showers were more effective than bed baths.