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
Performance Measure or Performance Indicator: A performance measure (or indicator) is a tool, screen, or flag that is used to guide, monitor, and improve the quality of a system/ service (2).
Performance Standard: A performance standard is an established, measurable, achievable, and understandable statement that describes a required level of performance against which actual performance can be compared. While a policy tells health authorities what to do, a standard sets the expected level of performance. Standards allow the Ministry/ health authority to measure, monitor and compare actual performance against the required level of performance. Health authority compliance with Ministry standards is mandatory (2).
Plain Soap: Detergent-based cleansers in any form (bar, liquid, or powder) used for the primary purpose of physical removal of soil and contaminating microorganisms (8).
Policy: A policy is a required course of action adopted to achieve a desired outcome. A policy statement describes what must and must not be done, but in general, does not describe how the work is done. It states expectations, assigns responsibility, sets limits, and serves as the basis for consistent decision-making. A policy statement is a directive required by legislation or made under authority of the funding agreements with health authorities, or is statements that identify and interpret the direction of government. Health authority compliance with Ministry policy is mandatory (2).
Precautions: Interventions to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms from patient to patient, patient to health care provider, and health care provider to patient (9).
Precipitating factors: those associated with the definitive onset of a disease, illness, accident , behavioral response or course of action. Usually one factor is more important or more obviously recognizable than others if several are involved and one may often be regarded as “necessary”. (11)
Predisposing factors: those that prepare, sensitize, condition or otherwise create a situation such as a level of immunity or state of susceptibility, so that the host tends to react in a specific fashion to a disease agent, personal interaction, environmental stimulus or specific incentive. These factors may be necessary but are rarely sufficient to cause the phenomenon under study. (11)
Public Health: One of the efforts organized by society to protect, promote, and restore the people's health. It is the combination of sciences, skills, and beliefs that is directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of all the people through collective or social actions. The programs, services, and institutions involved emphasize the prevention of disease and the health needs of the population as a whole. Public health activities change with changing technology and social values, but the goals remain the same: to reduce the amount of disease, premature death, and disease-produced discomfort and disability in the population (11).
Public Health Inspector: Public Health Inspector - means an officer appointed under this Act who is the holder of a Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada) or an equivalent certificate issued by a competent authority and acceptable to the Board of Certification of Public Health Inspectors of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (14).
Public Health Nurse: Public Health nurses care for the physical and mental health needs of the community as a whole. They may work with families in the home, with community groups, in schools, in government agencies and at workplaces. (3)
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