foreign material capable of inducing a specific immune response
antigen
antibacterial agent that kills bacteria or suppresses their growth
antimicrobial
something originating or taking place in the hospital (ex. infection)
nosocomial
process used to destroy microorganisms; destroys all pathogenic organisms except spores
disinfection
something that occurs with predictability in one specific region or population and can appear in a different geographical location
endemic
infection in which the causative organism comes from microbial life the person himself or herself harbors
endogenous
infection in which the causative organism is acquired from outside the host
exogenous
plant-like organisms (molds and yeasts) that can cause infection
fungi
an infection that was not present on admission to the hospital and develops during the course of treatment for other conditions (nosocomial)
healthcare-associated infection (HAI)
animal or person on or within which microorganisms live
host
infection that occurs as a result of a treatment or diagnostic procedure
iatrogenic
a disease state that results from the presence of pathogens (disease-producing microorganisms)
infection
protective procedure designed to prevent the transmission of specific microorganisms; also called protective aseptic techniques and barrier techniques
isolation
practices designed to reduced the number and transfer of pathogens; synonym for clean technique
medical asepsis
disease producing microorganisms
pathogens
gloves, gown, masks and protective eye gear designed to minimized or prevent the healthcare worker's exposure to infectious material
personal protective equipment (PPE)
natural habitat for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms
reservoir
CDC precautions used in the care of all patients regardless of their diagnosis or possible infection status; this category combines universal and body substance precautions
standard precautions
the process by which all microorganisms, including spores are destroyed.
surgical procedure are performed to render a person infertile
sterilization
practices that render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms; synonym for sterile technique
surgical asepsis
CDC precautions used in patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes; used in addition to Standard Precautions
transmission-based precautions
nonhuman carriers, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and lice that transmit organisms from one host to another
vector
ability to produce disease
virulence
smallest of all microorganisms; can be seen only by using an electron microscope