Plain-English explanations of the technical terms and legislation used in this document.
- Alcohol-based hand rub
- A gel or liquid containing alcohol that is rubbed into visibly clean hands to kill germs without water.
- Aseptic field
- A clean working area set up so that the parts of equipment that touch the patient stay free of contamination.
- Aseptic non-touch technique
- A careful working method that keeps the key parts of equipment from being touched or contaminated during a procedure.
- Botulinum toxin
- A prescription medicine, often used for anti-wrinkle injections, that relaxes muscles and must be handled and given under strict controls.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- The independent regulator of health and social care services in England.
- Chlorine-releasing agent
- A bleach-based disinfectant used to clean up blood and body-fluid spillages and kill germs.
- Cleaning
- Physically removing dirt, body matter and many germs from a surface using detergent and water, usually done before disinfection.
- Clinical waste
- Used items that may carry infection, such as soiled dressings or gloves, which must be disposed of separately and safely.
- Cold chain
- Keeping vaccines and certain medicines within a safe temperature range from delivery to use.
- Contact (dwell) time
- The minimum time a disinfectant must stay wet on a surface to work, as set by the manufacturer.
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
- The law for safely managing chemicals and other hazardous substances at work.
- Couch roll
- A roll of disposable paper laid over the treatment couch and changed for each patient.
- Decontamination
- The combined process of cleaning and, where needed, disinfecting an item or surface so it is safe to use again.
- Disinfection
- A process that reduces germs on a surface to a level unlikely to cause infection.
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- The main law requiring employers to protect the health and safety of staff and others affected by their work.
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
- The regulations setting out the fundamental standards that registered care providers must meet, including Regulation 12 on safe care and treatment.
- Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections (the "Hygiene Code")
- The official code that sets out how registered providers should prevent and control infection.
- Infection prevention and control (IPC)
- The measures used to stop infection spreading between patients, staff and visitors.
- Instructions for use (IFU)
- The manufacturer's written instructions for how to use, clean or look after a device or product.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Items such as gloves, aprons and masks worn to protect against harm or infection.
- Registered Manager
- The person registered with the regulator as responsible for the day-to-day running of a service.
- Regulated activity
- A type of care or treatment the law requires a provider to register with the regulator to deliver.
- Safety data sheet
- A document from a product's manufacturer describing its hazards and how to use, store and dispose of it safely.
- Sharps
- Needles, blades and other items that can cut or puncture the skin.
- Single-use
- An item meant to be used once on one patient and then thrown away, never cleaned or reused.
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- A written, step-by-step instruction for carrying out a task consistently and safely.
- Sterilisation
- A validated process that destroys all micro-organisms on an item, including bacterial spores.
- Terminal clean
- A thorough deep clean of a room and its equipment, carried out on a schedule or after known contamination.
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- The United Nations agency that sets international health guidance, including the "5 moments" for hand hygiene.