Glossary Term
Definition
Acinetobacter
Acinetobacter is a group of bacteria commonly found in soil and water and on
the skin of healthy people, especially healthcare staff. However,
Acinetobacter can cause severe infections in people with weakened immune
systems. Outbreaks of Acinetobacter typically occur in intensive care units
and cause, for example, pneumonia, or bloodstream or wound infections.
Aerosolised
Aerosols are very small airborne particles of fluid that may contain bacteria or
viruses. For example, staff in the operating theatre are at risk of exposure to
aerosolised blood during drilling.
Antimicrobial drugs
Antimicrobial drugs are drugs such as antibiotics and antivirals that are used
to treat infections.
Bloodborne
Bloodborne means carried in the blood.
Body fluids
Body fluids are fluids such as saliva and urine that are produced by the
human body.
Body fluids
Body fluids are fluids such as saliva and urine that are produced by the
human body.
Chain of infection
The chain of infection is the sequence of events that results in the passing of
infection from one person to another.
cleanyourhands
The National Patient Safety Agency is running a nationwide campaign, the
cleanyourhands campaign. Started in 2002, this campaign aims to reduce
HCAI through an improvement in hand hygiene.
Clostridium difficile (clinical
definition)
Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic spore-forming bacteria normally found in
the digestive tract. It can cause outbreaks of diarrhoea in susceptible
patients, such as patients who are on long-term antimicrobial therapy.
Clostridium difficile (non-clinical
definition)
Clostridium difficile is a bacteria sometimes found in the digestive system. It
can cause outbreaks of diarrhoea in susceptible patients, such as patients on
long-term antimicrobial therapy. It is commonly known as C diff.
Commensal
Commensal is another name for normal flora, the friendly microorganisms,
mainly bacteria, that live on or in the human body.
Contaminated
Contaminated means to have come into contact with harmful substances
such as disease-causing microorganisms.
Culture plate
A culture plate is used in laboratories to grow microorganisms.
Damp dusting
Damp dusting means dusting with a damp cloth.
Disinfectant granules
A dry preparation of a chemical disinfectant, usually sodium hypochlorite
(bleach), that will destroy harmful microorganisms. Commercial preparations
include Acticlor™, Saniclor™, Presept™ and Haztabs™.
Drug-resistant infections
Drug-resistant infections are infections that have evolved to develop the
ability to resist the antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics that are used to
destroy them or to prevent them from spreading. When an infection is
resistant to more than one antimicrobial drug it is said to be multiple-drug
resistant.
Eczema
Eczema is a non- infectious inflammation of the skin. It causes the skin to
become red and itchy. It may also cause the skin to crack, bleed and become
crusty and scaly.
Endogenous infection
An endogenous infection occurs when microorganisms move from their
normal 'home' in or on your body and invade your tissue.
Entry point
An entry point is where the microorganism can get into another person. This
could be through the mouth when eating and drinking, through the nose and
mouth when breathing, through cuts or broken skin such as wounds, and via
drips and drains such as urinary catheters.
Exit point
An exit point is a site where microorganisms leave the host such as on skin,
blood and bodily fluids or via breath.
Exogenous infection
An exogenous infection occurs when you are exposed to microorganisms
your body is not familiar with and you do not have antibodies against them.
Colds and flu or gastroenteritis are good examples in normally healthy
individuals.
Faecal-oral route
The faecal-oral route is the method by which microorganisms excreted in the
faeces can contaminate your hands, which can then contaminate food if you
touch it. If other people eat the food, they can become infected with the
microorganisms.
Fluid-repellent gowns
A fluid-repellent gown is a gown that does not absorb water, blood or other
fluids.
Glass and aerosols disposal box
This is a box used to collect only non-clinical aerosols and glass for recycling.
It is sometimes known as a magpie box.
Hazardous substances
Hazardous substances include biological agents found in some cleaning
products, detergents and disinfectants, and microorganisms in blood, body
fluids, dust and dirt.
Healthcare Setting
A healthcare setting is any location in which a patient receives care. This
includes clinics and general practices, hospitals and out patient departments.
Healthcare-associated infection
A healthcare-associated infection is an infection that develops as a direct
result of any healthcare treatment. The infection is not present when a patient
begins the healthcare treatment.
High dusting
High dusting is done on a rotational basis. It involves cleaning areas such as
walls and ceilings, ventilation ducts, curtain rails etc.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) destroys the body’s immune system
and causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV is spread by
blood and other body fluids. For this reason, healthcare workers need to
continually prevent contact with patient blood and body fluids.
Immune system
An immune system is the body’s defence against harmful microorganisms
(germs).
Infected linen
Infected linen is linen that has been used for an infected patient.
Intravascular catheter (clinical
definition)
Intravascular catheters include central venous and arterial catheters and their
use is associated with an increased risk of bloodstream infections (BSI).
Peripheral intravenous catheters may cause local infection and inflammation
but rarely cause BSI.
Intravascular catheter (non-clinical
definition)
An intravascular catheter, commonly known as a drip, involves the
introduction of a fluid such as saline by gravity into a vein.
Invasive procedure
An invasive procedure is a procedure in which the body is cut open.
Isolation room
An isolation room is used for patients who are suffering from certain
infectious illnesses. Isolation is a precaution taken in a hospital to prevent the
spread of infection from an infected patient. Isolation rooms are also used to
protect patients who are not infectious but have lowered immunity and may
be at risk of easily acquiring infections from others.
Linen
Linen includes sheets, towels, pillowcases, bed covers and bedclothes.
Method of spread
A method of spread is the route by which an infectious agent can spread.
Methods of spread can include direct or indirect contact such as hands or
shared equipment. Other methods include air, blood or the faecal-oral route.
Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA)
MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus commonly found on human skin
and the inside of the nose. Some people carry MRSA without signs of
infection, but if it causes an infection it can be difficult to treat.
Microorganisms
Microorganisms are microscopic life forms, also known as germs. Some of
them are beneficial to humans but others, such as bacteria and viruses, can
cause infections.
Mucous membrane
A mucous membrane is a moist tissue lining body openings or passages,
such as the mouth, throat and vagina. Mucus is a slimy substance produced
to make body tissue slippery and reduce damage from friction.
National evidence-based guidelines
National evidence-based guidelines are systematically developed, broad
statements (principles) of good practice that assist in decision-making in
relation to preventing healthcare-associated infections. There are two sets of
national guidelines currently available: the epic guidelines for preventing
healthcare-associated infection in acute care settings (2001) and the NICE
guidelines on Prevention of Healthcare-associated Infection in Primary &
Community Care (2003).
National guidelines
National guidelines are systematically developed, broad statements
(principles) of good practice that assist in decision-making in relation to
preventing healthcare-associated infections. There are two sets of national
guidelines currently available: the epic guidelines for preventing healthcareassociated infection in acute care settings (2001) and the NICE guidelines on
Prevention of Healthcare-associated Infection in Primary & Community
Care (2003).
Norovirus
The norovirus belongs to a group of related viruses that cause acute
gastroenteritis, sometimes called the stomach flu.
Open tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that commonly infects the lungs, but
can infect any part of the body. It can be transmitted from one person to
another, usually as a result of prolonged personal contact. Open tuberculosis
refers to TB of the lungs that is infectious.
Organic matter
Organic matter includes dirt, dust, food or drink, blood, or body fluids. Your
hands may not look dirty and yet be contaminated with organic matter.
Sometimes, hands just feeling dirty is an indication that they may be
contaminated with organic matter.
Particulate filter respirator
A particulate filter respirator is used by healthcare workers when caring for
patients with certain infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and SARS.
Particulate filter
respirator_Clinical_Version
A particulate filter respirator (PFR) is a specially designed mask made to fit
over the mouth and nose. When correctly fitted, it will not allow air to pass
from around the edges only through the fabric of the mask. This then filters
out any airborne microorganisms. PFRs are used when caring for patients
with certain infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and SARS.
Pathogen
A pathogen is a microorganism that may cause disease.
Pathogenicity
Pathogenicity is the ability of a microorganism to cause disease.
PEAT
Patients’ Environment Action Teams (PEAT) were created by NHS Estates to
ensure the patients’ environment was of an acceptable standard. Their
monitoring covers a range of issues including privacy, cleanliness, quality of
food and signs around the hospital.
Person at risk
A person at risk is someone at risk of infection. This could be for a variety of
reasons, such as surgery, prolonged stay in hospital, invasive medical
devices, chronic illness and lowering of their body's normal immune
response, or being cared for in intensive care.
Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment recommended for use by
healthcare workers when undertaking specific healthcare actions, or when
caring for patients with specific infectious diseases, to reduce the risk of
spreading infection.
PFR
A particulate filter respirator is used by healthcare workers when caring for
patients with certain infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and SARS.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a non-infectious inflammatory skin disease. It causes red patches
on the skin, that are covered with silver coloured scales.
Screening
Screening means carrying out tests on a large number of people to find out
how many of them have a particular disease.
Single use
Items that are single use are used for only one task. For example, a
disposable apron should be used for one task and then disposed of. Before
starting a new task, put on a new apron.
Sodium hypochlorite
A disinfectant, commonly known as bleach, that can be used in different
strengths to clean up spillages.
Soiled linen
Soiled linen is linen that is visibly stained with blood or body fluid.
Source
A source, also known as a reservoir of infection, is a place where a
microorganism has all of the things it needs to grow and multiply including
warmth and moisture. Humans make ideal sources for microorganisms.
Spores
Spores are a form of microorganism. They have a thick protective coat that
allows them to remain alive but inactive in the environment for long periods of
time. Many of the cleaning products commonly used do not kill spores.
Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning is required to deal with visible dirt, such as splashes on floors
and walls. This should be carried out in addition to your regular cleaning
schedules. Spot cleaning of splashes should be carried out as part of routine
cleaning.
Standard precautions
Standard precautions are basic infection control practices that everyone
working in healthcare must apply to prevent the spread of infection. These
include hand hygiene, use of PPE, decontamination, and the correct disposal
of sharps and waste.
Swabs
Small pieces of absorbent material. They are used to clean wounds or apply
medicine.
Theatre linen
Theatre linen is linen that has been used in the operating theatre.
Transient flora
Transient flora are organisms that are acquired on the hands through contact
with patients or with equipment that is contaminated.
Unknown source patients
Patients who have been infected or colonised but show no symptoms are
called unknown source patients. We should never assume the infectious
status of any patient, as some infections have periods when there are no
symptoms, e.g. HIV, Hepatitis B. Colonisation is also asymptomatic but a
patient colonised with MRSA will be a significant source of a microorganism
that, if transmitted to another patient, could cause a serious infection.
Urinary catheter
A urinary catheter is a tube inserted into the bladder via the urethra (the part
of the body through which urine is discharged). It remains in place for a
period of time to drain urine.
Used linen
Used linen is linen that has been used but has no visible stains.
VRE
VRE, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, is one of the most common bacteria
that cause infections in hospitals and other places where patients are treated.
Enterococci are microorganisms that are found in the intestine and cause
infections in the bloodstream and surgical wounds. One particular type of
enterococci, VRE, is resistant to many antibiotics.
Waste stream
Waste is separated into different waste streams depending on what category
it belongs to. In a hospital, waste is usually dealt with in two major streams:
domestic (non-clinical) waste and clinical waste. The different streams must
not be stored or transported together.