This multiauthored text represents a thorough assembly of the infection control guidelines published by many organizations. The contributors, all experts in their fields, have collected all of the guidelines, compared their strengths and weaknesses, and have made practical recommendations for implementation. They also identify indicators for monitoring quality improvement and point out areas for further research. The editors have successfully accomplished their purpose of gathering the guidelines from the many organizations and publications and placing them in a single text in an organized, easy-to-read format. This book will serve as a useful reference for hospital/health care epidemiologists, infection control practitioners, health system and hospital administrators, managers of engineering and facilities departments. and quality improvement managers.
Specific guidelines are contained in the individual chapters, whereas the guidelines that are referred to throughout the book are located in three appendixes at the end of the book. The authors of each chapter compare the guidelines and assess their value based on the supporting evidence. Each chapter contains practical recommendations for guideline implementation and suggestions for monitoring compliance in the reader's' institution. The experts have identified areas where evidence is lacking and suggest possibilities for research to practitioners This is an attractive, well-written book that contains very useful information.
It is the first available reference containing these often needed guidelines which very few practitioners can expect to remember. Although comprehensive and current, it will become outdated as new evidenceaccrues and guidelines are revised. This book will save countless hours in researching for the published standards. The contributors' recommendations will assist practitioners in formulating appropriate, functional policies for their facilities and agencies. This publication is an essential volume for the library of health care epidemiologists and infection control practitioners. They will frequently open the book to answer questions, develop and review policies, and monitor quality.
About the Author
Abrutyn, Elias, MD (Allegheny Univ); Goldmann, Donald A., MD (Children's Hospital, Boston); Scheckler, William E., MD (Univ of Wisconsin)The contributors represent the specialties of infection control, infectious diseases, epidemiology, pediatrics, microbiology, internal medicine, pathology, and laboratory medicine. Most come from universities, hospitals, and government agencies in the U.S., with one from Canada. Institutions prominently represented include Allegheny Univ of the Health Sciences, CDC, Harvard, Columbia, and Boston Univ.
