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Additional Precautions (AP)
Precautions (i.e., Contact Precautions, Droplet Precautions, and Airborne Precautions) that are necessary in addition to Routine Practices for certain pathogens or clinical presentations. These precautions are based on the method of transmission (e.g., contact, droplet, airborne).
Blood Borne Infection
An infection transmitted through contact with infected blood or other potentially infectious body fluids.
Cleaning
The physical removal of foreign material (e.g., dust, soil) and organic material (e.g., blood, secretions, excretions, microorganisms). Cleaning physically removes rather than kills microorganisms. It is accomplished with water, detergents, and mechanical action.
Direct care
Providing hands-on care (e.g., bathing, washing, turning clients, changing clothes, continence care, dressing changes, care of open wounds/lesions, toileting).
Disinfectant
A product that is used on surfaces or medical equipment/devices which results in disinfection of the equipment/device. Disinfectants are applied only to inanimate objects. Some products combine a cleaner with a disinfectant.
Disinfection
The inactivation of disease-producing microorganisms. Disinfection does not destroy bacterial spores. Medical equipment/devices must be cleaned thoroughly before effective disinfection can take place. See also, Disinfectant.
Environment of the Client
The immediate space around a client that may be touched by the client and may also be touched by the health care provider when providing care. The client environment includes equipment, medical devices, furniture (e.g., bed, chair, and bedside table), telephone, privacy curtains, personal belongings (e.g., clothes, books) and the bathroom that the client uses.
Hand Hygiene: A general term referring to any action of hand cleaning. Hand Hygiene relates to the removal of visible soil and removal or killing of microorganisms from the hands. Hand hygiene may be accomplished using soap and running water or hand sanitizing with an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) that is 70-90% alcohol based.
Hand Washing
The physical removal of microorganisms from the hands using soap (plain or antimicrobial) and running water.
High-Touch Surfaces
High-touch surfaces are those that have frequent contact with hands. Examples include doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, and wall areas around the toilet and edges of privacy curtains.
Hospital-Grade Disinfectant
A low-level disinfectant that has a drug identification number (DIN) from Health Canada indicating its approval for use in Canadian hospitals.
Infection
The entry and multiplication of an infectious agent in the tissues of the host. Some infections can produce symptoms others do not but can still be contagious.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)
Evidence-based practices and procedures that, when applied consistently in an environment, can prevent, or reduce the risk of infection in clients, staff, and visitors.
Infectious Agent
A microorganism, (i.e., a bacterium, fungus, parasite, virus, or prion) which is capable of invading body tissues, multiplying and causing infection.
Low-Touch Surfaces
Surfaces that have minimal contact with hands (e.g., walls, windowsills, ceilings, and mirrors).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Clothing or equipment worn by staff for protection against hazards (e.g., gloves, mask, gown, goggles).
Point of Care Risk Assessment (PCRA)
a dynamic risk assessment completed by a worker before every client/care interaction in order to determine whether there is risk of being exposed to an infection. A PCRA will help determine the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) required to protect the worker in their interaction with the client and the client environment.
Routine Practices
The system of infection prevention and control practices recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada to be used with all clients during all care to prevent and control transmission of microorganisms in community shelter settings.
