What is in Microbiology Nuts & Bolts?


Microbiology Nuts & Bolts, now in its second edition, has been written to provide doctors and healthcare staff with the ability to confidently identity the microorganisms that are the cause of a patient’s infection and how to treat them. The book is set out by condition rather than microorganism allowing for quick reference in a clinical setting. However, it is not an all-encompassing reference text and has deliberately not been referenced extensively in order to keep its presentation simple. It is intended to be concise enough to be of use on a daily basis, be it on a ward or in a clinic, yet detailed enough to promote a thorough understanding of microorganisms, their management and ultimately patient treatment.

The book is divided into six parts: Basic Concepts, Microbiology, Infection Control, Clinical Scenarios, Antibiotics and Emergencies. It is best to read Basic Concepts and Microbiology thoroughly first, as this will give the building blocks to understanding infections. After that, dipping into the Clinical Scenarios and Antibiotics sections will aid the diagnosis and management of patients with specific infections.

Emergencies have been separated into their own section to ensure they can be found quickly. Flowcharts help guide initial emergency treatment, which often needs to be implemented immediately in order to save lives, although they are not a replacement for experienced senior support. Infection Control does not go into depth regarding policies and politics but gives practical advice about preventing the spread of infections and what to do when you have too many patients for the side rooms available.

The first edition was well received by doctors and healthcare staff and their valuable feedback has been instrumental in this second edition, which has been fully up-dated with new antibiotics and updates for the management of Hepatitis C, C. difficile and STDs. Fever in a returned traveller has been expanded and a new section added on Malaria. Antibiotic Stewardship is explained along with a simple method of remembering how antibiotics work and how antibiotic resistance occurs. 

We thank those who provided such positive peer reviews, including the Royal College of Pathologists, the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Their reviews can be read in full by clicking Peer Reviews.

We were also asked why is there no App for Microbiology Nuts & Bolts? The short answer is that Apps are great at giving answers but less able to “teach”, leading to healthcare staff blindly following algorithms and proformas instead of understanding the fundamental principles of medicine...so no, there will be no App!

As with the first edition, the ultimate aim of the book is to empower doctors and healthcare staff to manage patients with infections better; if it achieves this then it will be a success.

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About the Author

The author qualified from Southampton University Medical School in 1997 and gained his background knowledge from jobs in medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine and paediatrics. After 5 years of specialist training he gained his CCT in Microbiology in 2006. Now as a Consultant Clinical Microbiologist in an NHS hospital in the UK, he spends his days diagnosing, treating and managing infections.
 
It is becoming increasingly apparent that there is a lack of knowledge about microbiology and infections amongst doctors. Through a series of clinical teaching sessions for medical students and junior doctors on “key concepts of microbiology and infection”, the need for a clinically orientated microbiology book became obvious.

Having been asked repeatedly, which book should students read to learn more, he had to admit that he did not know of one? The student’s feedback was direct...get on and write one! This website and the accompanying book are an attempt to rectify the lack of clinically orientated information on microbiology.

About the Publisher

The book Microbiology Nuts and Bolts is self published via CreateSpace, an Amazon company. CreateSpace has the advantage for the self-publisher of being free - so there are no set up costs, no minimum print runs and no stock pile of books. Medical textbooks need to be up-to-date and CreateSpace allows us to pull down the original file, change it and upload a new edition within days.

CreateSpace use print on demand printers in the UK and USA to manufacture and ship the books direct to the customer. The distribution is via Amazon.co.uk and other Amazon sites to a worldwide audience and the book always remains in-stock - it is made on-demand when the customer orders it. Where Amazon doesn't have a presence, International sales can be made directly via our CreateSpace sales page.

Currently the book is not available for distribution through Gardners Books or high street bookshops like Waterstones, Blackwells, WHSmiths or independent book stores. HOWEVER if you require a large volume (200 plus) of books it can be produced in bulk at reduced rates to the buyer and would allow entry of the book into traditional distribution channels. Please use the contact form to discuss your requirements and we'd be delighted to assist you.

The book's ISBN is:
ISBN-10: 1500289584
ISBN-13: 978-1500289584