The Environment of Care and Health Care-Associated Infections: An Engineering Perspective

This monograph explores the role of the health care environment in infection prevention and control. Written by Farhad Memarzadeh, director of the Division of Technical Resources at the National Institutes of Health, the document describes strategies used to address infection prevention in health care facilities-a unique environment in which patients are more likely than the general population to be susceptible to building-related illnesses and airborne microorganisms. The monograph discusses the effects of temperature and humidity on the transmission of viruses, bacteria, and fungi and gives details on the advantages and potential shortcomings of strategies to reduce health care-associated infections. It also includes a wealth of background information on the pathogens commonly found in health care facilities today.