Modern Techniques in Hospital Infection Control

Abstract

A rapid increase has been observed in nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections due to a growing population of immunocompromised hosts and those taking invasive measures to prolong life. Many advances have been made in the control of nosocomial infections, but the sheer magnitude of the problem dictates the continued search for better methods. The papers in this series are based on a conference sponsored by the Section on Hospital Epidemiology of the Society for Pediatrician, 15-17 November 1981, and are intended to provide guidelines for infection control practices in different hospital areas. Given the wide variety of hospitals and the differences in patient populations, it is understood that the practical application of these guidelines will vary considerably. The continued effort to assess the efficacy and utility of the methods suggested in the following papers is necessary to gauge their merit and to search for even better methods.