Current Status

  • C. auris spread has been identified in several LTACHs and vSNFs throughout Southern California. OCHCA recommends that facilities conduct screening of patients transferring from any Southern California LTACH or SAU, and place them on appropriate empiric Contact Precautions while awaiting results.

  • In order to prevent C. auris spread, multiple OC LTACHs have instituted screening of patients on admission. This LTACH screening has indicated that sporadic transmission is occurring in other health care settings, including acute care hospitals. ACHs should continue to practice consistent infection control precautions in order to prevent C. auris’ spread.

PCR testing:

OCHCA continues to work with OC LTACHs and SAUs to conduct point prevalence surveys of C. auris on an ongoing basis, and also responds to known exposure events. However, Public Health does not have capacity to provide screening resources for all discharges from LTACHs and SAUs. 

PCR testing for C. Auris has the advantage of more rapid turnaround time. There are several private labs that can provide PCR testing for C. auris. A list of labs are available here. Of note, PCR testing can be costly. Length of patient stay should be considered when deciding whether to screen them. A negative screening result can remove a patient from empiric precautions, but it may take several days to get the result.
Precaution Recommendations According to Facility Type:

Communication between healthcare facilities:
 
Consistent interfacility communication is vital when suspected or confirmed cases are transferred.  When a facility is transferring a patient who is known to be C. auris colonized, that facility should make telephone contact with the receiving facility to make sure they are aware of the patient’s status.

Inter-facility transfer forms or equivalent communication should also be used any time patients colonized or infected with MDROs are transferred between healthcare facilities. Your facility may choose to use OCHCA's Infection Control Transfer Form, which is available here.

Hand Hygiene:

  • Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) is effective against C. auris and is the preferred method for cleaning hands when they are not visibly soiled. If hands are visibly soiled, wash with soap and water. 

General Recommendations:

  • Periodic audits of both healthcare and EVS staff are recommended by OCHCA, and there are tools to help you complete these audits available upon request.

  • Cleaning agents effective against C. auris include those on List P (registered with the EPA with claims against C. auris), bleach, or agents on List K.

  • For more information about C. auris, please see the following links:

For other questions regarding Candida auris, please email HAITeam@ochca.com.


Thanks,

Matt Zahn, MD
Medical Director, Communicable Disease Control
Orange County Health Care Agency