The British journal of theatre nursing : NATNews : the official journal of the National Association of Theatre Nurses
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The spectrum of infectious diseases is changing rapidly. Emerging infectious agents present an intriguing constellation of nosocomial challenges. Antimicrobial resistance results in increased morbidity, mortality and costs of health care. ⋯ A consensus development conference to develop centres for disease control (CDC) formal guidelines against vancomycin intermediate-level resistant staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and vancomycin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) may take a year or more to convene. This paper will examine the basic considerations currently offered by the CDC which may be valuable starting points for the enhancement of current infection control practices. Perspectives of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) will also be included.