Infection Prevention in Surgical Settings. - Brief Article - book review

AORN Journal,  June, 2002  by Sheila Campbell

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By Barbara J. Gruendemann, Sandra Stonehocker Mangum 2001, 387 pp $36 paperback

This book is well structured and a valuable reference. In the new millennium, cleaning, reprocessing, decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization are under close scrutiny as we learn more and become more aware of the many disease processes that may affect us, the people we treat, and the people with whom we work. This book presents a realistic approach to infection prevention in a logical, condensed manner. The writing is clear, readable, and easy to understand. The book covers a vast array of important and pertinent topics related to the prevention of infection.

Each chapter begins by advising readers what they will learn in the following pages. Readers are given the opportunity to further investigate each topic discussed, and ample references and suggested reading are provided at the end of each chapter. The authors include a wide range of information because infection control can take many different avenues. They have investigated each topic carefully and have not dictated what is absolute but what is most realistic. Alternative options are discussed and presented.

Accreditation standards and state regulations are identified. There are numerous references to the agencies and literature that govern infection control (eg, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses, AORN's Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines). Two CDC guidelines are provided as quick references, including the "Guideline for isolation precautions in hospitals" and the "Guideline for prevention of surgical site infection."

This reference book would be useful in many settings (eg, ORs, education or teaching facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient clinics, cardiac catheterization suites). It would be useful to professionals, students, educators, infection control officers, physicians, anesthesia care providers, assistants, and managers, as well as staff members in a variety of other settings. It can be used as a learning tool, a guideline for drafting infection control practices, a reference for existing practices, and a reference for ensuring standards are current.

This book is available from W B Saunders, The Curtis Center, Independence Square West, Philadelphia, PA 19106; http://www.harcourthealth.com.

SHEILA CAMPBELL
RN, CCRN
STAFF NURSE
CROSS COUNTRY STAFFING
BOCA RATON, FLA

COPYRIGHT 2002 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group