Term | Definition |
---|---|
Antisepsis | Destruction or inhibition of microorganisms in or on living tissue, e.g., on the skin or mucous membranes [29]. |
Automated disinfection | Disinfection using machines instead of manual application. Examples incl. Hydrogen peroxide vapor and UV light machines. |
Cleaning | General term for the removal of soil. |
Cleaning & disinfection | Removal of soil and killing of microbes. |
Decontamination | The neutralization or removal of dangerous substances, radioactivity, or germs from an object, area or person [29]. |
Detergents | Water-soluble cleansing agents which combine with impurities and dirt to make them more soluble, and differ from soap in not forming a scum with the salts in hard water [30]. |
Disinfectants/disinfecting agents | Agents capable of destroying pathogenic microorganisms or inhibiting their growth activity [31]. Especially: chemicals that destroy vegetative forms of harmful microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi) especially on inanimate objects but that may be less effective in destroying spores [32]. |
Disinfecting detergents | The combination of a detergent with a disinfecting agent for the simultaneous removal of soil and the killing of microbes. |
Disinfection | The antimicrobial reduction of the number of viable micro-organisms to a level previously specified as appropriate for its intended further handling or use [29]. |
Environmental hygiene | Cleaning and/or disinfection of a specific environment. |
Environmental hygiene personnel | People in charge of cleaning and disinfecting, and maintaining the hospital environment. |
Environmental hygiene services | Service within a hospital that takes care of cleaning and hygiene of the environment. |
Fumigation | To apply smoke, vapor, or gas especially for the purpose of disinfecting or of destroying pests [33]. In the past, this term was often used to mean automatic disinfection. In the context of environmental hygiene, the “pests” part of the definition does not usually apply. |
Pasteurization | Disinfection, usually by heat, of microorganisms that can be harmful or cause product spoilage. Frequently applied for preservation. The prevention of the multiplication of microorganisms in products [29]. |
Resistance | The inability of an anti-infective or biocide to be effective against a target microorganism [29]. |
Sanitization | Disinfection of microorganisms that pose a threat to public health [29]. |
Sterilization | Defined process used to render a surface or product free from viable organisms, including bacterial spores [29]. It also frequently includes the objective of allowing the maintenance of the sterile state. |
Terminal cleaning | Cleaning and disinfection of a room after a patient carrying a dangerous/resistant pathogen leaves the room. |
Tolerance | Decreased effect of an active agent against a target microorganism and requiring increased concentration or other effects to be effective [29]. |