Lippincott’s Guide to Infectious Diseases PDF

As an infection preventionist for more than 30 years, I have led numerous educational sessions on infections and infectious diseases. These sessions have described the responsible organism, the signs and symptoms of the infection or infectious disease, the means of transmission, and practices to use to prevent the spread of the infection or infectious disease to other individuals, including the caregiver.As a registered nurse,my favorite audiences have included bedside nurses. The bedside nurse devotes many hours to patient care and assumes much of the responsibility for patient and family education. This education is an important component of the plan of care for patients with infections or infectious diseases. Patients and family members must understand the disease process and the treatment required in order to ensure compliance with therapy and to prevent both complications and transmission of infection to others. The nurse is the predominant member of the health care team whom patients and family members approach with questions about the infection or infectious disease. The nurse must keep his or her knowledge of infections and infectious diseases current not only to answer questions accurately for patients and family members but also to provide appropriate nursing care. Lippincott’s Guide to Infectious Diseases focuses on the essential information needed to deliver quality care to the patient with an infection or infectious disease. It has a unique visual design that helps the reader navigate through the book in a quick and logical manner.

The book is divided into two sections. Part I,Understanding and Preventing Infectious Diseases, provides a refresher course for the nurse by covering the fundamentals of disease transmission and prevention. Part II, Managing Infectious Diseases, provides a brief overview of more than 150 infections and infectious diseases ranging from otitis media and the common cold to serious health care–associated infections (HAIs) caused by such current organisms as Acinetobacter, Clostridium difficile, and methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Part II offers a general description of the distinguishing characteristics of each infection or infectious disease, a short description of the responsible organism(s), the complications associated with the infection or disease, diagnostic approaches, treatment, applicable nursing interventions, and information to include in patient and family teaching. This section of the book is a nurse’s dream. Each entry provides useful information to help the nurse plan the patient’s individualized care, adequately assess the patient throughout the delivery of care, provide the necessary services, and evaluate the patient’s progress toward established goals. Everything the nurse needs to provide safe, quality nursing care is covered. Lippincott’s Guide to Infectious Diseases is a treasure for nurses at all levels. It is an excellent reference for specific nursing care for the patient with an infection or infectious disease. It comes at a perfect time: when health care providers, patients, and third-party payers are concerned about the consequences of HAIs, including cost as well as morbidity and mortality.Hospitals are implementing various approaches to reduce the incidence of HAIs to zero. This book will help the nurse play an important role in that effort.