Infection Prevention and Control in the Hospital: An Issue of Infectious Disease

This book provides a comprehensive overview of infection prevention and control in the hospital setting. It covers a wide range of topics, including the epidemiology of hospital-acquired infections, the role of the infection control team, and the implementation of infection control measures. The book is written by a team of experts in the field, and it is essential reading for anyone who works in a hospital setting.

Table of Contents

• Epidemiology of Hospital-Acquired Infections
• The Role of the Infection Control Team
• Infection Control Measures
• Surveillance and Monitoring
• Outbreak Management
• Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

Epidemiology of Hospital-Acquired Infections

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major public health problem. They are the most common complication of hospital care, and they can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that HAIs affect approximately 1.7 million patients in the United States each year, and they result in approximately 99,000 deaths.

Infection Prevention and Control in the Hospital, An Issue of Infectious Disease Clinics (The Clinics: Internal Medicine Book 25)

by Clóvis Souza

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2705 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	312 pages

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HAIs can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The most common types of HAIs include:

• Pneumonia
• Urinary tract infections
• Surgical site infections
• Bloodstream infections
• Gastrointestinal infections

HAIs can be spread through a variety of routes, including:

• Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
• Contact with infected patients or healthcare workers
• Inhalation of contaminated droplets
• Ingestion of contaminated food or water

The Role of the Infection Control Team

The infection control team is responsible for developing and implementing infection prevention and control measures in the hospital setting. The team typically consists of physicians, nurses, epidemiologists, and other healthcare professionals. The team works closely with other hospital departments, such as environmental services, laundry, and food services, to ensure that all areas of the hospital are clean and safe.

The infection control team has a number of responsibilities, including:

• Identifying and investigating HAIs
• Developing and implementing infection control policies and procedures
• Educating healthcare workers about infection prevention and control
• Monitoring compliance with infection control measures
• Conducting surveillance for HAIs

Infection Control Measures

There are a number of infection control measures that can be implemented to prevent HAIs. These measures include:

• Hand hygiene
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Environmental cleaning and disinfection
• Sterilization of medical devices
• Antimicrobial stewardship
• Vaccination

Hand hygiene is one of the most important infection control measures. Healthcare workers should wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after patient contact, before and after handling medical devices, and after touching contaminated surfaces or objects.

PPE, such as gowns, gloves, and masks, can help to protect healthcare workers from exposure to infected patients or materials. PPE should be worn when there is a risk of contact with blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials.

Environmental cleaning and disinfection is essential for preventing the spread of HAIs. All surfaces in the hospital, including floors, walls, furniture, and medical equipment, should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Special attention should be paid to high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and countertops.

Sterilization of medical devices is essential for preventing the spread of HAIs. All medical devices that come into contact with patients should be sterilized before use. Sterilization can be achieved using a variety of methods, such as heat, chemicals, or radiation.

Antimicrobial stewardship is a program designed to improve the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are essential for treating infections, but they can also lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship programs help to ensure that antibiotics are used only when they are necessary, and they help to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.

Vaccination is an important infection control measure. Vaccines can protect people from a variety of infectious diseases, such as influenza, measles, and tetanus. Healthcare workers should be vaccinated against all vaccine-preventable diseases.

Surveillance and Monitoring

Surveillance and monitoring are essential for preventing and controlling HAIs. Surveillance helps to identify HAIs early on, and it allows the infection control team to track trends and identify areas for improvement. Monitoring helps to ensure that infection control measures are being implemented correctly and that they are effective.

There are a number of different surveillance methods that can be used to identify HAIs. These methods include:

• Active surveillance
• Passive surveillance
• Laboratory-based surveillance

Active surveillance involves actively searching for HAIs. This can be done by reviewing patient charts, interviewing patients, and performing physical examinations. Passive surveillance involves collecting data on HAIs from existing sources, such as medical records and laboratory reports. Laboratory-based surveillance involves testing specimens from patients for the presence of infectious organisms.

Monitoring is essential for ensuring that infection control measures are being implemented correctly and that they are effective. Monitoring can be done by observing healthcare workers, reviewing infection control records, and conducting environmental

Infection Prevention and Control in the Hospital, An Issue of Infectious Disease Clinics (The Clinics: Internal Medicine Book 25)

by Clóvis Souza

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2705 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	312 pages

FREE