Hospital Acquired Infections

The spread of infections associated with hospitals and clinics has increased dramatically in recent years and their prevention constitutes a major challenge for healthcare personnel. This book highlights the growing threat from hospital acquired infections and thoroughly explains the relevant measures for their prevention. Measures for control are also succinctly presented. The book also focuses on local epidemiology relating to the spread of these infections in India and highlights appropriate measures for their prevention. The text is presented in a clear and crisp style and important features and procedures are adequately highlighted in relevant boxes, tables and flowcharts. Physicians, surgeons and microbiologists would find this book to be extremely useful. Laboratory personnel and nursing staff would also benefit considerably from this book. FEATURES • Explains the recent and evidence based guidelines for prevention of hospital associated infections published by the WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Provides a thorough discussion of cleaning and disinfection protocols as well as isolation precautions. • Highlights the growing threat from device associated infections and presents measures for their prevention. • Discuss the problems related to the multidrug resistance, emerging infections and agents of the bio- terrorism. • Highlights infections in trauma as well as immuno compromised patients, especially vulnerable to hospital associated infections. • Presents the advances in surveilliance systems in relation to preventive programmes for hospital associated infections. • Discuss relevant issues relating to Biomedical waste management and disposal. CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Healthcare-Associated Infections 3. Organization of an Infection Control Programme 4. Surveillance of Hospital Acquired Infections 5. Standard and Isolation Precautions 6. Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization 7. Intensive Care Units 8. Operation Rooms 9. Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections 10. Hospital Acquired Pneumonia 11. Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections 12. Resistant and Emerging Pathogens and Agents of Bioterrorism 13. Central Sterile Supply Department 14. Laundry 15. Food Services 16. Biomedical Waste Management 17. Post-Exposure Management 18. Infections in Traumatized Patients 19. Immunocompromised Host and Special Scenarios Index