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

Noncritical Items: Those that either touch only intact skin, but not mucous membranes or do not directly touch the patient (8).

Nosocomial Infection: An infection originating in a medical facility e.g. occurring in a patient in a hospital or other health are facility in whom the infection was not present or incubating at the time of admission. Includes infections acquired in the hospital but appearing after discharge; also includes such infections among staff. (11)

Notifiable Diseases: Please refer to the definition for reportable diseases.

Numerator: The upper portion of a faction, used to calculate a rate or a ratio. (17)

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