Ch. 15 Infection Control - Key Terms
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and suppresses the immune system.
Autoclave
A piece of equipment that uses steam under pressure or gas to sterilize equipment and supplies; it is the safest and most efficient sterilization method.
Chemical Disinfection
Using chemical agents to eliminate pathogens on surfaces and instruments.
Disinfection
A process that uses chemical disinfectants to destroy or kill pathogenic organisms.
Exogenous
Means the infection or disease originates outside the body.
Aerobic
Microorganisms that require oxygen to live.
Bacteria
Simple, one-celled organisms that multiply rapidly. They are classified by shape and arrangement.
Clean
Refers to the absence of pathogens or contaminants in a medical environment.
Droplet Precautions
Infection control measures used to prevent the spread of pathogens transmitted through close respiratory contact.
Fomites
Inanimate objects that can carry and transmit pathogens. Common examples include doorknobs, bedpans, urinals, linens, instruments, and specimen containers.
Airborne Precautions
Precautions used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei.
Bioterrorism
The use of microorganisms, or biologic agents, as weapons to infect humans, animals, or plants.
Communicable Disease
A disease caused by a pathogenic organism that can be easily transmitted to others.
Ebola
A rare, severe, and often fatal illness in humans and non-human primates caused by infection with an orthoebolavirus.
health care-associated
A health care-associated infection (HAI) (formerly referred to as nosocomial or hospital-acquired) is an infection acquired by an individual in a health care facility such as a hospital or long-term care facility.
Anaerobic
Organisms that live and reproduce in the absence of oxygen.
Cavitation
A process where bubbles (usually in an ultrasonic cleaner) strike items being cleaned and explode, driving the cleaning solution onto the article.
Contact Precautions
Infection control measures used to prevent the spread of pathogens transmitted by direct or indirect physical contact.
Endogenous
Means the infection or disease originates within the body.
Helminths
Helminths are multicellular parasitic organisms commonly called worms or flukes.
Asepsis
The absence of disease-producing microorganisms, or pathogens.
Chain of Disinfection
The sequence of processes including cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, personal protective equipment monitoring, and training.
Contaminated
Means that organisms and pathogens are present. Any object or area that may contain pathogens is considered to be contaminated.
Epidemic
Occurs when a communicable disease spreads rapidly from person to person and affects a large number of people at the same time.
hepatitis C:
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus, or HCV, and is transmitted by blood and blood- containing body fluids