Overview
Collected into one source, this text represents the most up-to-date and officially endorsed guidelines of infection control, gathered together and organized for easy reference and use in any healthcare facility. The introductory chapters provide essential information on epidemiology, as well as background concerning the different types of guidelines for control and how they are used. The next section presents broad coverage of infection control and the key components in an infection control program. Following this foundation, the guidelines themselves are presented in sections that focus on the areas of: Facility Size or Location of Service; Site of Infection; Selected Clinical Problems; and Facility-Based Guidelines. Experts in infection control offer a "guide to the guidelines" with their succinct interpretations and critiques of each guideline, providing insight into what works, what doesn't, and why. Where applicable, the guidelines are reproduced at the end of the chapter either in full or in extract format.
The book contains black-and-white illustrations.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Mark E. Rupp, MD(University of Nebraska Medical Center )Description: This second edition of a comprehensive compilation of infection control guidelines is fully updated and includes a searchable CD-ROM.
Purpose: This book serves as a "guide to the guidelines." The editors have sought to compile relevant guidelines into a single source. The authors, recognized experts in the field, interpret the guidelines and provide commentary. This much needed reference meets its objective.
Audience: Intended for hospital epidemiologists and infection control professionals, the book is edited by three well respected physicians and the chapters are authored by 90 recognized content experts.
Features: The 56 chapters are grouped into seven broad categories such as site of infection and facility-based guidelines (medical waste, water management, etc.). Three appendixes cover guidelines from the CDC, Federal Register, and multichapter guidelines. The best feature of this reference is that it is quite comprehensive and does an excellent job presenting the most useful guidelines. There are some shortcomings, however. Inherent in such a book is the fact that it becomes obsolete quickly as new guidelines are issued. For instance, this edition does not contain a recent guideline (2000) on prevention of opportunistic infections among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (CDC/IDSA/ASBMT). It is somewhat cumbersome to flip from section to section to find guidelines on a particular topic (i.e., tuberculosis guidelines can be found in the chapter on tuberculosis as well as in the appendixes on CDC guidelines and the federal register (OSHA Regulations)). The accompanying searchable CD-ROM ameliorates the latter problem to a large degree and greatly improves the portability of this sizeable book.
Assessment: This is an extremely useful tool to assist healthcare professionals in keeping abreast of the myriad infection control guidelines. This edition will fill a welcome spot on the bookshelves of hospital epidemiologists and infection control professionals.
4 Stars! from Doody