Antibiotic therapy in the issues of nosocomial infection

Preface

It is a privilege for me to write the preface for this book edited by Professor Rybicki on such an important and topical subject. Nosocomial infections are common, particularly in critically ill patients, and can be a challenge to diagnose and treat. They are associated with considerable morbidity, increased mortality rates, and high costs. Yet many of these infections can be prevented and handbooks such as this, which highlight the key features of nosocomial infections, are crucial in daily clinical practice as well as for training purposes. This comprehensive book provides an extensive overview of the key aspects of this important field covering risk factors, preventative techniques, early diagnosis, common causative microorganisms, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. In addition to more general sections, the prophylaxis, diagnosis and management of specific types of infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheterrelated infections, are also discussed. The manual is well illustrated throughout with tables and figures providing useful visual support to the written text. I am sure this book will be of value to all involved in the management of patients with nosocomial infection.

Jean-Louis Vincent MD PhD


About the Author

Zbigniew Rybicki, Col. Full Prof. in 1963 graduated from Warsaw Medical Academy on the Faculty of Medicine. During his military service he was offered to specialize in a branch of anaesthesiology and intensive care in the department conducted by Col. Full Prof. Stanisław Pokrzywnicki – one of the Polish anaestesiology pioneers, who obtained his specialization in 1944 in the Department of Anaesthesiology of the Oxford University conducted by Gen. Prof. Sir Robert Macintosh, the father of British anasthesiology. Prof. Rybicki works in the Military Institute of the Health Services in Warsaw since December 1966 until now. In the years 1990–2009 he conducted the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. He directed his practical and theoretical interests towards the latter, which is intensive care. He is an author and co-author of several dozen scientific publications, dozens chapters of coursebooks, as well as a doctoral supervisor fifteen times. He also has already been an author of three editions of the comprehensive coursebook entitled ‘Adults’ Intensive Care’, which is considered to be his biggest professional achievement.