title: A dangerous place to live: from the fog of war to the slime of technology.
abstract: This article addresses the need for constant vigilance against clever and adaptive enemies, specifically the battle against infections. Medical devices are susceptible to infection and risk management needs to be considered in the context of the underlying science and common sense.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Engineering, University of Liverpool. dfw.ce@liverpool.ac.uk
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000009:adverse effects; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000009:adverse effects; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible