[Principles of antisepsis, disinfection and sterilization].

This article aims to provide a brief review of the main concepts on which the prevention and control of infection are based. Antisepsis comprises a set of techniques aimed at the total sterilization, or at most, disinfection, removing germs that contaminate an environment. Both procedures must be preceded by an environmental cleanup in the location in which they intend to be applied.

Timing of DVT prophylaxis and risk of postoperative knee prosthesis infection.

This multicenter prospective study was performed to determine risk factors for knee prosthesis infection and the effect of timing doses of prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) related to time of surgery on the risk of knee prosthesis infection. A total of 5496 consecutive patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty from 2005 to 2006 in 13 orthopedic centers were prospectively followed up for 6 months, and the incidence of knee prosthesis infection was recorded. A case control study was nested in the cohort.

[Predictive model for nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care units].

Background And Objective: Nosocomial pneumonia is the most common nosocomial infection in the intensive care units (ICUs) and contributes disproportionately to both poor outcomes and high cost of care in critically ill patients. In order to identify patients with greater risk of developing nosocomial pneumonia in ICUs, it is important to select the right preventive measures.

Patients And Method: It was an observational study of 2 prospective cohorts of patients staying in the ICU for 24 h or more: the main cohort (n=1,184) and the validation cohort (n=554).

[Adult vaccination update].

Vaccination, as a global concept, is the most cost-effective strategy in primary prevention of communicable diseases. One of the bigger difficulties in adult population is to reach the same vaccine coverage as in childhood vaccine programs. In order to solve this deficit, strategies established in the primary level are basic, due the fact that it's the first contact of adult population with health programs.

[Risk injuries at operating and delivery rooms. EPINETAC Project 1996-2000].

Background And Objective: Surgical areas have long been considered risky with regard to occupational exposures to blood-borne pathogens. The objective of study was to describe and evaluate the risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens at operating and delivery rooms, from reports of injuries in health care workers.

Subjects And Method: Transversal study of percutaneous injuries occurring in operating and delivery rooms which were registered in the Spanish surveillance system EPINETAC (Exposure Prevention Information Network Accidents) between 1996 and 2000.

[Occupational exposures to blood and biological material in healthcare workers. EPINETAC Project 1996-2000].

Background And Objective: The bloodborne injury is the most frequent risk in healthcare workers. Among them, the hollow-bore needlesticks are the most associated with the risk of acquire a bloodborne infection. In this study, occupational percutaneous injuries and risk factors associated to hollow-bore needlesticks registered in a national multicenter surveillance system are described.

[Occupational exposure to multiresistant Mycobacterium bovis in a hospital in Saragossa, Spain].

Background: Those working in a hospital environment are exposed to different occupational risks, although more specifically biological ones. One of the major risks is that of exposure by airborne transmission, more specifically, tuberculosis. This study is aimed at providing a description and analysis of the results of the implementation of an evaluation and surveillance protocol following occupational exposure to Multiresistant mycobacterium bovis (MRMb).