INTRO TO HC - Definition of Terms

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Asepsis

• Absence of microorganisms.

• Exclusion of pathogenic or disease-causing microorganisms.

• Aseptic technique

  • Covers the practices or procedures that aim to minimize the risk for infection caused by contamination of microorganisms

Medical asepsis

• The term used to the state of being free from microorganisms that can cause diseases.

• Medical aseptic technique

  • Involves the process that breaks the chain of infection by reducing the microorganisms present and preventing its transfer.

  • These techniques should be used by all patients, whether with or without infection.

Surgical asepsis

• Demotes the absence of all microorganisms when doing invasive procedures.

PPE (Personal protective equipment)

• These are materials or equipment designed to protect the person or health care provider from infection.

Hand hygiene

• Involves four different procedures:

  • Handwashing

  • Antiseptic handwash

  • Antiseptic hand rub

  • Surgical hand antiseptics

Infection

• Invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms

Contaminated

• Soiled with microorganisms

Disinfection

• Reduction of microorganisms without destroying the spores.

Spores

• Inactive but viable state of microorganisms

Sterile

• Free from microorganisms

Pathogenicity (Virulence)

• Ability to produce disease

Opportunistic pathoge

• Pathogen that causes disease only to susceptible individuals

Carrier

• Person or animal that harbors an infectious agent and is capable of transferring it to other persons.

Colonization

• Presence of microorganisms in the body secretions or excretions that does not cause illness.

• Normal flora within the body.

Donning

• To put on

Doffing

• To remove