Main description:

Infection Control in the ICU Environment provides the details of the most common infection control problems facing intensive care units. Authors include noted scientists, intensivists and epidemiologists from the United States and Europe as well as infection control experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Acinetobacter, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin resistant enterococci are examined in detail. This volume also includes cutting edge information regarding the potential for prophylactic and pre-emptive therapy of fungal infections in intensive care units.
Innovations in vascular catheter care and prevention of bloodstream infections are discussed in this volume as well as the newest information in mathematical modeling to understand the epidemiology and control of infections in intensive care units.

Contents:

Contributors. Introduction; J. Rello. Preface. 1. Scope and Magnitude of Nosocomial ICU Infections. U.S. Perspective; J. Alonso-Echanove, R.P. Gaynes. 2. Scope and Magnitude of Nosocomial ICU Infections. European Perspective; M.M.S. Ibelings, H.A. Bruining. 3. Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: A Threat for the ICU? U.S. Perspective; M.K. Hayden. 4. Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Europe: A Changing Epidemiology? European Perspective; M.J.M. Bonten. 5. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: Is Control Necessary? U.S. Perspective; J.M. Boyce. 6. Acinetobacter: Epidemiology and Control. U.S. Perspective; J.J. Rahal, C. Urban. 7. Acinetobacter: Epidemiology and Control. European Perspective; J. Ariza, X. Corbella. 8. Fungal Infections: The Role of Prophylactic and Empiric Antifungal Therapy in ICU Patients. U.S. Perspective; P.O. Gubbins. 9. Fungal Infections: The Role of Prophylaxis and Empiric Therapy in ICU Patients. European Perspective; J.F.G.M. Meis, P.E. Verweij. 10. Newer Approaches to Preventing Vascular Catheter-Related Sepsis. U.S. Perspective; R.O. Darouiche. 11. Newer Approaches to Preventing Intravascular Device-Related Bloodstream Infections. European Perspective; J.A.J.W. Kluytmans. 12. Is Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Cost Effective? North American Perspective; M.H. Kollef. 13. Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Is Prevention Cost Effective? European Perspective; R. Ferrer, et al. 14. Cross-Colonization in Intensive Care Units: Fact or Fiction? U.S. Perspective: M. Samore.15. Cross-Colonization: Fact or Fiction? European Perspective; M.S. Garcia. 16. Conventional Infection Control Measures: Value or Ritual? U.S. Perspective; J.P. Flaherty, et al. 17. Conventional Infection Control Measures: Value or Ritual? European Perspective; C.A.M. Schurink, M.J.M. Bonten. 18. Modeling of Antibiotic Resistance in the ICU. U.S. Perspective; M. Lipsitch, C.T. Bergstrom. 19. Mathematical Models in the ICU: Dynamics, Infection Control and Antibiotic Resistance. European Perspective; D.J. Austin. Index.