This operational guide addresses important infection prevention and control (IPC) measures that should be implemented during a diphtheria outbreak and primarily addresses respiratory Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheria). IPC measures are based on the principles of standard and transmission-based precautions. When implemented effectively, IPC measures can prevent or control transmission, keeping patients, health and care workers and visitors/caregivers safe. Key advice in this guide includes ensuring health and care workers are vaccinated with diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines; isolating suspected or confirmed cases in well-ventilated single rooms and utilizing droplet precautions with additional personal protective equipment (PPE) based on risk-assessment when maintaining a distance of 1 meter is not possible; and ensuring visitors or caregivers also adhere to PPE requirements and receive proper instructions on hand hygiene and PPE usage. Accompanying the operational guide is a one-page summary.

Infections, especially those occurring postoperatively, remain a major problem in hospitals. This handy pocket-sized manual provides guidelines and protocols for preventing infections, and managing them if they occur. It covers various types of infection, and is suitable for members of infection control teams.

"The Nation has lost sight of its public health goals and has allowed the system of public health to fall into 'disarray'," from The Future of Public Health. This startling book contains proposals for ensuring that public health service programs are efficient and effective enough to deal not only with the topics of today, but also with those of tomorrow. In addition, the authors make recommendations for core functions in public health assessment, policy development, and service assurances, and identify the level of government--federal, state, and local--at which these functions would best be handled.

1. Introduction to Healthcare-associated Infections 2. Structural Organization of an Infection Control Program 3. Major Healthcare-associated Infection Types 4. Surveillance of Healthcare-associated Infections 5. Standard Precautions-I: Hand Hygiene 6. Standard Precautions-II: Personal Protective Equipment 7. Transmission-based Precautions 8. Infection Control in Special Situations 9. Disinfection Policy 10. Central Sterile Supply Department 11. Environmental Surveillance 12. Screening for Multidrug-resistant Organisms 13. Infection Control in Laundry 14. Infection Control in Kitchen and Food Safety 15. Waste Management in Healthcare Facility 16. Staff Health Issues-I: Needle Stick Injury Management 17. Staff Health Issues-II: Work Restriction and Vaccination 18. Outbreak Investigation 19. Antimicrobial Stewardship 20. Infection Control Requirements for Accreditation Index

These guidelines provide recommendations that outline the critical aspects of infection prevention and control. The recommendations were developed using the best available evidence and consensus methods by the Infection Control Steering Committee. They have been prioritised as key areas to prevent and control infection in a healthcare facility. It is recognised that the level of risk may differ according to the different types of facility and therefore some recommendations should be justified by risk assessment. When implementing these recommendations all healthcare facilities need to consider the risk of transmission of infection and implement according to their specific setting and circumstances.