This glossary was created with input from members of PICNet, PHAC Infection Control Guidelines and the BC Ministry of Health. A list of references is available here. Definitions will be updated frequently and may change or be removed. Please send us your comments and feedback by email to picnet@phsa.ca.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Hand Hygiene: A process for the removal of soil and transient microorganisms from the hands. Hand hygiene may be accomplished using soap and running water or by the use of alcohol-based hand rubs. Optimal strength of alcohol-based hand rubs should be 60% to 90% alcohol. (8)
Health Authorities (HA): The six health authorities (Vancouver Coastal, Interior, Fraser, North, Vancouver Island and the Provincial Health Services Authority) that are responsible for the health services provided within their respective areas (4).
Health Care: services provided to individuals or communities by agents of the health services or professions to promote, maintain, monitor or restore health. Health care is not limited to medical care, which implies therapeutic action by or under the supervision of a physician. The term is sometimes extended to include self care. (11)
Health Care Provider (HCP): Health Care Provider: Individual providing or supporting health care services that will bring them into contact with patients/clients/ residents. This includes, but is not limited to: emergency service providers, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, nurses, podiatrists, respiratory therapists and other allied health professionals, students, support services (e.g. housekeeping, dietary, maintenance, hairdressers), and volunteers. (3)
Health Care Workplace (HCW): The hospital, building, agency, or area, e.g. ambulance, where health care is provided (10).
Health Services: services that are performed by health professionals or by others under their direction for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, or restoring health. In addition to personal health care, health services include measures for health protection, health promotion and disease prevention. (11)
Heavy Microbial Soiling: The presence of infection or high levels of contamination with organic material e.g. infected wounds, feces (8).
Herd Immunity: The immunity of a group or community. The resistance of a group to invasions and spread of an infectious agent. Based on the resistance to infection of a high proportion of individual members of the group. (11)
High Level Disinfection: Level of disinfection required when processing semicritical items. High level disinfection processes destroy vegetative bacteria, mycobacterium, fungi and enveloped (lipid) and nonenveloped (non lipid) viruses, but not necessarily bacterial spores (8).
Home and Community Care: Home care is defined as a wide-range of medical, nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, and social services delivered to patients in their place of residence (e.g., private residence, senior living center, assisted living facility). Home health-care services include, care provided by home health aides and skilled nurses, respiratory therapists, dieticians, physicians, chaplains, and volunteers; provision of durable medical equipment; home infusion therapy; and physical, speech and occupational therapy. (3)
Hospital Associated Infections: Also referred to as nosocomial infections, this refers to an infection originating in a medical facility, e.g. occurring in a patient, in a hospital or other health care facility, in whom infection was not present or incubating at the time of admission. Includes infections acquired in the hospital but appearing after discharge; it also includes such infections among staff (11).
Hospital-grade Disinfectant: A disinfectant that has a drug identification number (DIN) from Health Canada indicating its approval for use in Canadian hospitals. (13)
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