Infection control
Infection Control
Infection control (pronunciation: /ɪnˈfɛkʃən kənˈtroʊl/) refers to the scientific approach and practical solutions designed to prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers. It is an essential part of healthcare.
Etymology
The term "infection control" is derived from the Latin word 'infectio' meaning 'to dye or stain', and the English word 'control', meaning 'to exercise restraint or direction over; dominate; command'.
Definition
Infection control is the discipline concerned with preventing nosocomial or healthcare-associated infection. It is an essential part of the infrastructure of healthcare. Infection control and hospital epidemiology are akin to public health practice, practiced within the confines of a particular health-care delivery system rather than directed at society as a whole.
Related Terms
- Antimicrobial resistance: The ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication that once could successfully treat the microbe.
- Hand hygiene: The act of cleaning hands for the purpose of removing soil, dirt, and microorganisms.
- Personal protective equipment: Protective gear intended to safeguard health by minimizing exposure to a biological agent.
- Sterilization (microbiology): Any process that eliminates, removes, kills, or deactivates all forms of life and other biological agents.
- Disinfection: The process of cleaning something, especially with a chemical, in order to destroy bacteria.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Infection control
- Wikipedia's article - Infection control
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