A Practical Guide to Antiseptics (Hardcover)

Overuse of antibiotics and lack of hygiene in hospitals has led to the emergence of "superbacteria" and turned hospitals into possible danger zones. In Europe, one in ten patients picks up an infection while in hospital. At least three million people contract what are known as nosocomial infections each year, and more than 50,000 actually die as a result. In individual European countries alone, between 500,000 and a million people contract infections while in hospital, and the risk of infection on intensive care units is over 15 percent. Hygiene training and comprehensive guidelines for the prophylactic usage of antiseptics are therefore more important than ever.

The goal of this book is to provide a detailed overview of the clinical and preventive usage of antiseptics in their primary indications - skin antisepsis, antisepsis of mucous membranes and wound antisepsis. The bulk of the text will then concentrate on therapeutic and prophylactic usage according to different medical and surgical specialties.

Utmost emphasis will be put on evidence-based effectiveness of the various chemical compounds discussed and recommendations will be given pertaining to selection of the best suitable substance. For every chapter, the reader will be provided with detailed instructions, and where possible, standard operative procedures (SOPs) of how to use and apply antiseptics in practice.