Prevention of Healthcare-associated Infections: Infection Prevention and Control

by Yatin Mehta, Usha Krishan Baveja

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), the most important preventable inpatient global problem that are adversely affecting the patient safety as well as the safety of care providers. HCAIs is the rapid advances in medical technology and improved delivery of healthcare with the increasing use of devices, implants, and prostheses, particularly in an aging population. This book details the basic science of infection, the microorganisms circulating in a hospital, and the antimicrobial agents available including the rational use of these along with antimicrobial stewardship. There are chapters describing A, B, C of various HCAIs including COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 and how to develop a need-based infection prevention and control program (IPCP) for different levels of healthcare to prevent HCAIs. There are many chapters describing strategies of IPCP including hand hygiene, standard precautions, airborne and contact precautions, sterilization and disinfection, central sterilization and supplies, laundry management, biomedical waste management, and so on. Infection prevention and control in various areas of the hospital for various groups of patients, role of nursing, and role of microbiology laboratory to prevent and control HCAIs are described. There are chapters on investigation of an outbreak, maintenance of occupational health of healthcare professionals (HCPs), maintenance of clean environment, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, OTs, ICUs and negative pressure rooms, etc. The latest strategies to prevent infections in different possible situations (ICU, HDU, post-transplant units and Burns unit, etc.) in a healthcare facility including the clinical laboratory are described. Each chapter has been contributed by experts who are knowledgeable, conversant with the latest knowledge on the subject, and are involved in implementing the program in their respective hospitals. The chapters are structured in a way (with MCQs at the end) that the book can be used for training and education.

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