The relationship between patient functional status and environmental contamination by Clostridium difficile: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Limited data exist on patient factors related to environmental contamination with Clostridium difficile.
METHODS: We evaluated the association between the functional status of patients with C. difficile infection (CDI) and environmental contamination with C. difficile.
RESULTS: Contamination of patient rooms was frequent and higher functional status was associated with contaminated surfaces remote from the bed. All but one environmental isolates matched the corresponding patient's stool isolate for the seven patients tested.
CONCLUSION: Functional status is a factor that influences environmental contamination with C. difficile. Future studies should evaluate strategies to reduce contamination in CDI patient rooms, taking into account the patient's functional status.