Infection Prevention and Control : Theory and Clinical Practice for Healthcare Professionals

This book provides the reader with all of the background information necessary to enhance their understanding of the rationale behind the basic principles of infection control and how to apply them in every day situations; how specific bacteria interact with the host and cause infection; the background to each of the bacteria/infections described within the text, and, evidence based recommendations on the infection control management of these.Content: Chapter 1 Infection Prevention and Control: Past, Present and Future (pages 1–12): Chapter 2 Bacterial and Viral Classification, Structure and Function (pages 13–26): Chapter 3 The Collection and Transportation of Specimens (pages 27–34): Chapter 4 The Microbiology Laboratory (pages 35–42): Chapter 5 Understanding the Immune System and the Nature and Pathogenesis of Infection (pages 43–59): Chapter 6 The Principles of Infection Prevention and Control (pages 61–83): Chapter 7 Types of Healthcare Associated Infection (pages 85–109): Chapter 8 The Problem of Antimicrobial Resistance (pages 111–124): Chapter 9 Meticillin?Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (pages 125–140): Chapter 10 Tuberculosis (pages 141–156): Chapter 11 Clostridium difficile (pages 157–168): Chapter 12 Invasive Group a Streptococcal Disease (pages 169–178): Chapter 13 Meningococcal Disease (pages 179–188): Chapter 14 Norovirus (pages 189–199): Chapter 15 Campylobacter and Salmonella (pages 201–214): Chapter 16 Blood?Borne Viruses (pages 215–228): Chapter 17 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) (pages 229–240): Chapter 18 Pandemic Influenza (pages 241–256): Chapter 19 Creutzfeldt?Jakob Disease (CJD) (pages 257–270): Chapter 20 Legionella (pages 271–278):

The high media profile given to topics such as MRSA, Clostridium difficile, dirty hospitals and poor compliance with hand hygiene, has forced the subject of infection prevention and control into the public arena.  It has become a high priority for the NHS as an organisation and all healthcare staff involved in patient care.

Infection prevention and control as a speciality is complex, fascinating and challenging, encompassing not only clinical practice issues in relation to patient care but also the infection control aspects of the environment, together with the health and safety of members of the public and healthcare workers.  It is therefore essential that healthcare professionals have a firm grasp of both the principles of infection control, which they can relate to clinical practice and the current issues.

Infection Prevention and Control is divided into three sections:

Part one

Sets the scene; describes the history of infection control; introduces basic microbiology and virology, including a description of the role of the microbiology laboratory and the collection of specimens for investigation; introduces the function of the immune system, the immune response and the nature and pathogenesis of infection.

Part two

Looks at the principles and practice of infection prevention and control in relation to universal precautions; types of healthcare associated infection; issues around decontamination; management of invasive devices; hand hygiene and the problem of antimicrobial resistance.

Part three

Examines in depth some of the common healthcare associated infections, such as Meticillin -  resistant Staphylococcus aureus and antibiotic resistant coliforms, along with other prolific infections of major concern to healthcare workers such as Tuberculosis, CJD and Pandemic Influenza.

Infection Prevention and Control is a valuable and comprehensive text that equips healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge base.

Infection prevention and control: past, present and future Bacterial and viral classification, structure, and function The collection and transportation of specimens The microbiology laboratory Understanding the immune system and the nature and pathogenesis of infection The principles of infection prevention and control Types of healthcare associated infection The problem of antimicrobial resistance Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Tuberculosis Clostridium difficile Invasive group a streptococcal disease Meningococcal disease Norovirus Campylobacter and salmonella Bloodborne viruses Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Pandemic influenza Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) Legionella. Provides the reader with the background information necessary to enhance their understanding of the rationale behind the basic principles of infection control and how to apply them in every day situations; how specific bacteria interact with the host and cause infection; and, the background to the bacteria/infections described. Weston provides the reader with all of the background information necessary to enhance their understanding of the rationale behind the basic principles of infection control and how to apply them in every day situations, and how specific bacteria interact with the host and cause infection, and more