Infection Control in Clinical Practice

Infection control is now a major issue in clinical practice. The third edition of this highly successful book provides a comprehensive guide to the principles and practice of infection control and prevention, and the basic elements of microbiology and epidemiology that underpin them. This revised edition has been updated thoroughly throughout in line with current policy, clinical practice, and the organisation and prevention of infection control in the UK. It contains new material on emerging pathogens, antimicrobial agents and resistance, and infection control guidance. The evidence-base for infection control practice has been fully revised to take into account new research and guidance. The contents are firmly based in clinical practice and relevant to both hospital and community settings. The information is research-based and extensively referenced and therefore provides an invaluable resource for evidence-based practice. Presentation is clear, concise and accessible to a wide audience including diploma and degree course students, nurses and allied health professionals working in clinical settings, and infection control specialists.

Foreword. Introduction to Microbiology. Understanding the Microbiology Laboratory. The Epidemiology of Infection. The Immune System and the Immunocompromised Patient. A Guide to Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Microorganisms and their Control. The Central Principles of Infection Control. Preventing Wound Infection. Preventing Infection associated with Intravascular Therapy. Preventing Infection associated with Urethral Catheters. Preventing Infection of the Respiratory Tract. Preventing Gastrointestinal Infection: the principles of food hygiene. Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization. Management of the Infectious Patient. Ectoparasitic infections and environmental infestations.
Appendix 1: A Policy for the Decontamination of Equipment. Appendix 2: Routes of transmission and isolation precautions for common infections. Appendix 3: An isolation policy. Glossary. Index.