Infection refers to the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) within a host organism’s body, leading to signs, symptoms, and potentially adverse health effects.
Also known as healthcare-associated infection (HAI), it is an infection acquired by patients during their stay in a healthcare facility, which was neither present nor in the incubation period at the time of admission.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria or other microorganisms develop the ability to survive exposure to previously effective antibiotics, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of complications.
Sterilization is the process of killing or removing all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, from surfaces, equipment, medications, or other objects to prevent the spread of infection.
Transmission refers to the process by which infectious agents are transferred from one person, object, or environment to another, leading to the spread of infection. Modes of transmission include direct contact, indirect contact, airborne transmission, and droplet transmission.
PPE includes items such as gloves, masks, gowns, and goggles, which are worn to protect healthcare workers and patients from exposure to infectious agents and to prevent the spread of infections within healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene involves washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers to remove or kill microorganisms, thereby reducing the risk of transmitting infections from one person to another.
Isolation precautions are infection control measures implemented to prevent the spread of contagious diseases by isolating patients with specific infectious conditions or by applying additional precautions, such as wearing masks or gowns when caring for infected individuals.
Infection control encompasses a set of practices and protocols aimed at preventing, reducing, or eliminating the spread of infections within healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Surveillance involves the systematic monitoring and tracking of healthcare-associated infections, antibiotic resistance patterns, and other indicators of infectious disease to identify trends, outbreaks, and areas for improvement in infection prevention and control measures.