Which immediate infection-control action is most appropriate for a patient newly suspected of having C. difficile in a hospital ward?

Place the patient in a private room with contact precautions (glove and gown) and ensure environmental cleaning with a sporicidal disinfectant; enforce handwashing with soap and water for staff and visitors.

Transfer the patient to a general ward and remove all prior antibiotics preemptively without additional precautions to avoid stigmatization.

Continue routine care without isolation but increase the frequency of alcohol-based hand rub use because alcohol gels are fully effective against C. difficile spores.

Only isolate the patient if stool culture grows C. difficile on agar, because PCR or toxin assays are insufficient justification for contact precautions.