ABSTRACT
Media ‘scares’ have given infection, and infection control, high profiles that, at least as far as public confidence is concerned, has often been counter-productive. Behind media hype, however, there are justified causes for concern. Approximately one in ten people entering UK hospitals acquires infection (Breathnach, 2005),
and of those who do, approximately one in ten die from those infections. Hospital-acquired infection rates have remained virtually unchanged for a quarter of a century (Weston, 2008). Remembering Florence Nightingale’s premise that ‘Hospitals should do the sick no harm’, infection is, therefore, a serious concern for all health professionals, and its prevention an important duty. This chapter outlines some ways infection can be reduced, and describes some of the more problematic organisms and related nursing care. Specific treatments are not generally discussed, as these should be guided by local microbiologists, and change rapidly with developments of both new drugs and microbial resistance.
