Although nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infections have been well cataloged and are fairly well understood, traditional solutions have failed to completely eliminate the problem. Even the most modern hospitals find themselves stymied by the persistence of these pathogens in hospital wards and operating rooms. The degree to which most of these infections are airborne is not known, but a growing body of evidence indicates that airborne transmission plays a role in many hospital-acquired infections. Addressing one of the most important topics in health care, Hospital Airborne Infection Control is the first book to deal with the control of airborne nosocomial infections in detail. It identifies all pathogens known or suspected to be airborne, along with their sources in hospital environments. It also summarizes all epidemiological evidence for airborne transmission. The text addresses respiratory, surgical site, burn wound, immunocompromised, pediatric, nursing home, and non-respiratory infections. In each category, an extensive number of examples show that inhalation is not the only airborne route by which infections may be transmitted. Noting that airborne transmission and surface contamination are virtually inseparable, the author emphasizes that both air and surface disinfection, including hand hygiene, are important factors in controlling the transmission of airborne disease. He also proposes a variety of new solutions and technologies, including ultraviolet, ionization, ozone, plasma, and vegetative air cleaning systems. A compendium of scientific and medical information, this book helps hospitals control nosocomial infections and outbreaks spread by the airborne route as well as by direct contact and contact with fomites or contaminated equipment.

Although nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infections have been well cataloged and are fairly well understood, traditional solutions have failed to completely eliminate the problem. Even the most modern hospitals find themselves stymied by the persistence of these pathogens in hospital wards and operating rooms. The degree to which most of these infections are airborne is not known, but a growing body of evidence indicates that airborne transmission plays a role in many hospital-acquired infections. Addressing one of the most important topics in health care, Hospital Airborne Infection Control is the first book to deal with the control of airborne nosocomial infections in detail. It identifies all pathogens known or suspected to be airborne, along with their sources in hospital environments. It also summarizes all epidemiological evidence for airborne transmission. The text addresses respiratory, surgical site, burn wound, immunocompromised, pediatric, nursing home, and non-respiratory infections. In each category, an extensive number of examples show that inhalation is not the only airborne route by which infections may be transmitted. Noting that airborne transmission and surface contamination are virtually inseparable, the author emphasizes that both air and surface disinfection, including hand hygiene, are important factors in controlling the transmission of airborne disease. He also proposes a variety of new solutions and technologies, including ultraviolet, ionization, ozone, plasma, and vegetative air cleaning systems. A compendium of scientific and medical information, this book helps hospitals control nosocomial infections and outbreaks spread by the airborne route as well as by direct contact and contact with fomites or contaminated equipment.

This book is a comprehensive source for technical information regarding ultra- oletgermicidalirradiation(UVGI)anditsapplicationtoairandsurfacedisinf- tion for the control of pathogens and allergens. The primary focus is on airborne microbesandsurfacecontaminationapplications.Water-basedapplicationsarenot addressedhereexceptincidentallyastheyrelatetoairandsurfacemicrobes,since manyadequatetextsonwater-basedUVdisinfectionareavailable.Allaspectsof UVGIsystems,includingdesignmethods,modeling,safety,installation,guidelines, anddisinfectiontheoryareaddressedinsuf?cientdetailthatnoadditionalsources needbeconsulted.Itishopedbytheauthorthatprovidingthisinformationinone singlevolumewillsimplifythedesignandinstallationofUVGIsystems,helpgu- anteeeffectiveperformanceofnewsystems,andfacilitatetheiruseonawidescale forthepurposeofimprovinghumanhealthandcontrollingepidemicdisease.This book is organized to provide systematic coverage of all essential issues and will serveequallywellasbothatextbookandahandbookforgeneralreference. Any readers who ?nd technical errors or omissions in this book may to send themtomeatdrkowalski@aerobiologicalengineering.com.Erratawillbepostedat http://www.aerobiologicalengineering. com/UVGI/errata.htm. All other corresp- [email protected]. vii Acknowledgements I gratefully acknowledge all those who assisted me in the research, preparation, andreviewofthechaptersinthisbook,includingWilliamBahn?eth,SteveMartin, Chuck Dunn, Jim Freihaut, Dave Witham, Ed Nardell, Richard Vincent, Mark Hernandez, Ana Nedeljkovic-Davidovic, Clive Beggs, Renzhou Chen, Normand Brais, Katja Auer, Warren Lynn, Mike Sasges, Bill Carey, Tatiana Koutchma, Forrest Fencl, Russ Briggs, Josephine Lau, Carlos Gomes, Fahmi Yigit, Herbert Silderhuis, Joe Ritorto, Merrill Ritter, Brad Hollander, Scott Prahl, Karl Linden, WilliamBalch,AtanuSengupta,M.D.Lechner,KetanSharma,DonaldMilton,and especially Mary Clancy all the members of the IUVA Air Treatment Group who supported the UV Guidelines project, and also Linda Gowman, Jim Bolton and everyone in the International Ultraviolet Association who sponsored the UV Air TreatmentGroup.AspecialthanksgoestoAliDemirciandRaymondSchaeferfor theircontributionstothechapteronPulsedUVSystems.Iespeciallythankmyp- ents,StanleyJ.KowalskiandMarylaKowalski,andmysisterVictoriaChorpenning fortheirunwavering supportandencouragement duringthesepastfewyearsasI recoveredmyhealthandreturnedtoresearch.