Candida auris (C. auris)
Candida auris precautions
- Precautions
- ContactStandardContact Precautions (acute care); Contact or Enhanced Barrier Precautions (nursing homes)
- How long
- Not time-limited — C. auris can colonize patients for long periods
- Room
- Single room when possible; cohort patients with C. auris
- Cleaning
- EPA List P disinfectant, at least daily and at discharge or transfer
- Hand hygiene
- Alcohol-based hand rub preferred unless hands are visibly soiled
- Communication
- Flag the record and tell receiving facilities at transfer and discharge
Good to know
- C. auris spreads easily in healthcare settings, persists on surfaces for months, and is not killed by some common disinfectants. Facilities equipped for other MDROs or C. difficile can generally care for patients with C. auris.
- C. auris is not in CDC’s Appendix A table; this summary follows CDC’s separate C. auris infection control guidance.
Test yourself: a CIC-style question
Candida auris is of particular infection control concern because it:
- Is always susceptible to fluconazole
- Can be multidrug-resistant and persists on surfaces, causing healthcare outbreaks
- Only colonizes healthy people
- Is easily eradicated with alcohol gel
Show answer
B. Can be multidrug-resistant and persists on surfaces, causing healthcare outbreaks
C. auris is often multidrug-resistant, persists in the environment and causes healthcare outbreaks, so it needs Contact Precautions (or Enhanced Barrier Precautions in nursing homes) and a List P disinfectant.
Questions like this come up in the Preventing and Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents domain of the CIC® exam. The 654 questions in the app each come with a written explanation.
FAQ
- What precautions are needed for Candida auris?
- Contact Precautions (acute care); Contact or Enhanced Barrier Precautions (nursing homes). Room: Single room when possible; cohort patients with C. auris. Cleaning: EPA List P disinfectant, at least daily and at discharge or transfer. Hand hygiene: Alcohol-based hand rub preferred unless hands are visibly soiled. Communication: Flag the record and tell receiving facilities at transfer and discharge.
- How long do Candida auris precautions last?
- Not time-limited — C. auris can colonize patients for long periods.
Sources
- CDC. Infection Control Guidance: Candida auris
- U.S. EPA. Selected EPA-Registered Disinfectants (Lists G, K, P and others)
Checked against CDC on October 21, 2026. For education and CIC® exam preparation only — not a substitute for your facility’s infection prevention policies, your state or local health department, or clinical judgment. CBIC and CDC do not endorse this tool.