Decontamination In Hospitals And Healthcare

Decontamination in Hospitals and Healthcare brings an understanding of decontamination practices and the development of technologies for cleaning and control of infection to a wide audience interested in public health, including healthcare specialists, scientists, students or patients. Part one highlights the importance and history of decontamination in hospitals and healthcare before exploring the role of standards in decontamination, infection control in Europe, and future trends in the area. Part two focuses on decontamination practices in hospitals and healthcare. It considers the role of the nurse in decontamination, the issues of microbial biofilm in waterlines, control of waterborne microorganisms, and the use of gaseous decontamination technologies. Further chapters explore decontamination of prions, the use of protective clothing, no-touch automated room disinfection systems, and controlling the presence of microorganisms in hospitals. Part three discusses practices for decontamination and sterilization of surgical instruments and endoscopes. These chapters examine a range of guidance documents, including the choice framework for local policy and procedures for decontamination of surgical instruments, as well as novel technologies for cleaning and detection of contamination. Decontamination in Hospitals and Healthcare provides a reference source on decontamination for public health professionals and students concerned with healthcare. It is particularly useful for scientists in microbiology and disinfection/decontamination laboratories, healthcare workers who use disinfectants, students in microbiology, clinicians, members of the Institute of Decontamination Sciences/Central Sterilising Club, and those employed in the Central Sterile Services departments of healthcare facilities. Discusses decontamination processes in Europe Provides an in-depth understanding into decontamination in healthcare settings, specifically hospitals and dental practices Examines the decontamination of surgical equipment and endoscopes

The threat of domestic terrorism today looms larger than ever. Bombings at the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City's Federal Building, as well as nerve gas attacks in Japan, have made it tragically obvious that American civilians must be ready for terrorist attacks. What do we need to know to help emergency and medical personnel prepare for these attacks? Chemical and Biological Terrorism identifies the R&D efforts needed to implement recommendations in key areas: pre-incident intelligence, detection and identification of chemical and biological agents, protective clothing and equipment, early recognition that a population has been covertly exposed to a pathogen, mass casualty decontamination and triage, use of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, and the psychological effects of terror. Specific objectives for computer software development are also identified. The book addresses the differences between a biological and chemical attack, the distinct challenges to the military and civilian medical communities, and other broader issues. This book will be of critical interest to anyone involved in civilian preparedness for terrorist attack: planners, administrators, responders, medical professionals, public health and emergency personnel, and technology designers and engineers.

Prevention is the first line of defence in the fight againstinfection. As antibiotics and other antimicrobials encounterincreasing reports of microbial resistance, the field ofdecontamination science is undergoing a major revival. APractical Guide to Decontamination in Healthcare is acomprehensive training manual, providing practical guidance on allaspects of decontamination including: microbiology and infectioncontrol; regulations and standards; containment, transportation,handling, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of patient useddevices; surgical instrumentation; endoscopes; and qualitymanagement systems. Written by highly experienced professionals, A PracticalGuide to Decontaminationin Healthcare comprises asystematic review of decontamination methods, with uses andadvantages outlined for each. Up-to-date regulations,standards and guidelines are incorporated throughout, to betterequip healthcare professionals with the information they need tomeet the technical and operational challenges of medicaldecontamination. A Practical Guide to Decontaminationin Healthcareis an important new volume on state-of-the-art decontaminationprocesses and a key reference source for all healthcareprofessionals working in infectious diseases, infectioncontrol/prevention and decontamination services.

In the battle between humans and microbes, knowledge may be not only the best weapon but also the best defense. Pulling contributions from 34 experts into a unified presentation, Disinfection and Decontamination: Principles, Applications, and Related Issues provides coverage that is both sophisticated and practical. The book reviews the fundamentals, explores the interdisciplinary nature of the science, and includes discussions of regulatory and legal issues. While the chapters present in depth coverage of infections in hospitals, they also widen their scope to include laboratories outside the healthcare environment. Based on practical experience, the volume examines recent advances in the research, development, and applications for disinfection and decontamination in many different settings. The chapters address, and supply insight into, the issues found with infectious disease, devices and new materials for implantation, principles, mechanisms, testing methods and strategies, and various applications. They also cover current research and best practice for ways to reduce infection caused by devices. The book’s emphasis on new technologies highlights the need for safer biocides and microbiological concerns in the manufacturing environment. The broad focus combined with the global, interdisciplinary panel of authors gives you a snapshot of disease transmission, perspectives on infectious challenges and solutions in a global perspective, and an understanding of global governance. The book offers in depth information on specific topics and an understanding of the fundamentals, giving you a starting point and precise information for resolving problems.

Concise, practical guide for everyone involved in the control of hospital infection Features: Key information at your fingertips: Concise information is easy to find - now includes references and index Completely revised, expanded and updated to reflect changes in new chemical disinfectants Reviews the range of new disinfectants used for endoscope reprocessing New for this edition: For the first time, includes thermal disinfection applications of washer-disinfectors and healthcare laundry Covers new safety regulations Reviews new European disinfectant tests Outlines the properties of both established and new disinfectants Covers the use of disinfectants against the range of healthcare-associated pathogens

Practical Healthcare Epidemiology takes a hands-on approach to infection prevention for physicians, healthcare epidemiologists, infection preventionists, microbiologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Increased regulatory requirements and patient knowledge and involvement has elevated patient safety, healthcare-associated infections, antibiotic stewardship and quality-of-care to healthcare wide issues. This fully updated new edition brings together the expertise of leaders in healthcare epidemiology to provide best practice expert guidance on infection prevention for adult and pediatric patients in all types of healthcare facilities, from community hospitals and academic institutions, to long-term care and resource limited settings. Written in clear, straightforward terms to address prevention planning and immediate responses to specific situations, this is the go-to resource for any practitioners in medicine or public health involved in infection prevention, regardless of their current expertise in the field.

Now in paperback, the second edition of the Oxford Textbook of Critical Care addresses all aspects of adult intensive care management. Taking a unique problem-orientated approach, this is a key resource for clinical issues in the intensive care unit.