How do hospital professionals involved in a randomised controlled trial perceive the value of genotyping vs. PCR-ribotyping for control of hospital acquired C. difficile infections?

Table 1 Interview topic guide

Interview topics	Questions to ask
Ribotyping history	When first offered a ribotyping service
	Benefits of ribotyping when dealing with periods of increased CDI incidence
	Weaknesses of a ribotyping service
MLVA typing service	Has/would access to more rapid MLVA information be of added benefit and, if so, how?
MLVA typing service	What factors, if any, have limited value of MLVA information? (MLVA Group only)
Initiating ward closures	You reported XX ward closures as a result of ribotyping/MLVA typing result
	Explain decision-making process for initiating a ward closure.
	How has/could ribotyping/MLVA typing influenced decision-making in this area
Initiating extra cleaning	You reported XX instances of extra cleaning as a result of ribotyping/MLVA typing
	Explain decision-making process for initiating cleaning changes.
	How has/could ribotyping/MLVA typing influenced decision-making in this area
Stopping ward closures/extra cleaning	Value (if any) of ribotyping/MLVA typing in preventing ward closures or changes in cleaning
Stopping ward closures/extra cleaning	How ribotyping/MLVA typing influences decision-making
Changes to audits of practice/staff training	Please explain decision-making process in the areas of audits of practice and staff training.
Changes to audits of practice/staff training	How has/could ribotyping/MLVA typing influenced decision-making in these areas
Other changes	Changes which could improve value of typing information further in infection control and why

ISSN: 1471-2334