Published: November 2010
Infection prevention and control is a major aspect of healthcare provision and thus it is vital for all practitioners to understand how to ensure safe, hygienic and effective patient care in their daily practice. This practical, handy text aims to provide essential information on infection prevention, control and management in any health care setting.
The book will be an invaluable tool to help staff reduce avoidable health care associated infections. It provides healthcare practitioners with a basic understanding of infectious agents, their physiology, classifications and transmission. It also covers the clinical management of infections, presenting best practice guidelines and precautionary measures as well as useful tips and tools to safeguard patients from infections. In addition, it presents the practical considerations for the management and treatment of infections, such as staff roles and responsibilities, environmental hygiene, sterilization, management of invasive devices and much more.
The content is designed to be clear, concise and highly practical. The user-friendly format features learning outcomes, checklists, tables, bullet points and practical examples throughout. Chapters include relevant case studies, reflective practice activities and discussion questions to aid learning.
About the Editor
Vinice Thomas is Assistant Director of Nursing/Clinical Governance at Harrow Primary Care Trust and acted in the role of Director of Infection Prevention and Control, managing the Infection Control Team. She had worked within the Chief Nursing Officer for England's Directorate as part of the HCAI and Cleanliness division as a Portfolio Manager responsible for supporting NHS Trusts across the country to strengthen their infection control processes.
Table of contents
1. Introduction
Section 1: Understanding infection
2. Infectious agents
3. Means of transmission of infectious agents
Section 2: Prevention and control
4. Staff health
5. Environmental hygiene
6. Decontamination of reusable surgical instruments
7. Protective measures
8. Special precautions
Section 3: Management and treatment
9. Management of invasive devices
10. Caring for an infected patient
11. Antibacterial agents and their role in infection control
12. Infection prevention and control: Roles and responsibilities
