The Compendium is a set of strategies published by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Infectious Diseases Society of America in partnership with APIC, the American Hospital Association, and The Joint Commission. This publication provides guidance on preventing six of the most common healthcare-associated infections: Clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, central line-associated bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections. 

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Rationale for hand hygiene recommendations after caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile infection

While soap and water have long been considered the preferred method of hand hygiene to remove C. difficile infection (CDI) spores following the care of CDI patients, no acute-care studies exist showing the same result cannot be achieved using alcohol-based hand hygiene products. For that reason, preferential use of soap and water following CDI patient care is not recommended during non-outbreak settings.