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

• A. 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.
• B. Transfer the patient to a general ward and remove all prior antibiotics preemptively without additional precautions to avoid stigmatization.
• C. 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.
• D. Only isolate the patient if stool culture grows C. difficile on agar, because PCR or toxin assays are insufficient justification for contact precautions.

Answer: (A)