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.

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Legislation: Legislation is a general term which refers to statutes, and regulations passed by government. Legislation creates legal obligations and has the force of law. Statutes reflect policy decisions made by government and are passed by the Legislature; regulations are subordinate legislation and are approved by Cabinet. Whereas a statute sets out the legal framework with respect to a subject matter, a regulation provides specific detail as to how it is applied. Health authority compliance with legislation is mandatory (2).

Low Level Disinfection: Level of disinfection required when processing noncritical items or some environmental surfaces. Low level disinfectants kill most vegetative bacteria and some fungi as well as enveloped (lipid) viruses e.g. hepatitis B, C, Hantavirus, and HIV. Low level disinfectants do not kill mycobacteria or bacterial spores. Low level disinfectants-detergents are used to clean environmental surfaces (8).

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