An Introduction to Hospital and Inpatient Care, Eugenia L. Siegler, Saeid Mirafzali, and Janice B. Foust, editors. New York, Springer Publishing Co, 2003. 357 pages, softcover, $39.95.

This insightful book has 28 chapters and 32 contributing authors coming from the variety of backgrounds necessary to alert the reader to the wide range of variables that constitute modern patient care. The text is divided into 5 sections. These are (1) the hospital setting, (2) caring for patients in the hospital, (3) facilitating continuity of care, (4) common social and ethical issues, and (5) improving the quality of care.

The editors are 1 nurse and 2 physicians. The 32 other contributors coming from a variety of other disciplines add greatly to the insights into care. The selective perceptions of such experienced professionals when organized into a sophisticated whole results in a richer and more useful care approach. The 28 chapters enhance and enrich the best of scientific approach, which can be utilized by every type of caregiver.

It is obvious that the growing number of nurses with advanced preparation will continue to stimulate and enrich the care of patients. All types of practitioners benefit from insightful understandings. All the total input of all the different competencies into each individual care program greatly enhances the quality of outcomes.