Infection control

Abstract

Hand washing is the main subject of this chapter. The importance of hand hygiene cannot be too strongly emphasized. How infections occur and the chain of infection are described. Important organisms such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and hepatitis viruses are all included. What to do about needlestick injuries, using the N95 mask, and information about recent advances in hand hygiene using alcohol are all to be found here.