Prevention and Control of Infections in Hospitals

This volume educates on preventive and infection surveillance procedures, routines and policies adapted to an optimal infection control level needed to tackle today's microbes in hospital practice. It emphasizes particularly on preventive measures against serious hospital infections. Each chapter is equipped with a practical part which refers to the main action in procedures and treatment, and a theoretical, reasoned part, with an updated documentation that can be used for further studies and background for selection of infection control measures. Infection control concerns all healthcare professional working directly or indirectly with patients; diagnosis, treatment, isolation measures, operations, equipment, drugs, cleaning, textiles, transport, porter service, food and water, building and maintenance, etc. The world is small and microbes spread quickly. Hospital infections increases. Today, the most serious hospital infections may occur after discharge from the hospital. This may result in the spread of infection to other health levels of the society and a less favorable treatment of the patient with infection. A continuous and full-fledged hospital emergency defining dangerous microbes or larger eruptions like pandemics are important. Hygiene and environmental control is central to the infection prevention to patients, visitors and staff. Good hygienic practices, individual infection control, well implemented and frequent environmental cleaning, and a high professional standard of hygiene in treatment and care of patients, is important for a good patient safety and a safe working environment. This book is geared to doctors, nurses and other health care workers, students in health-related subjects, hospital managers and health bureaucrats, along with patients and their families.