Occurs when airborne particles remain suspended in the air, travel on air currents and are then inhaled by others who are nearby or who may be some distance away from the source patient, in a different room or ward (depending on air currents) or in the same room that a patient has left, if there have been insufficient air exchanges. Microorganisms [..]

A microorganism that has developed resistance to the action of several antimicrobial agents and that is of special clinical or epidemiological significance.

Antimicrobials are ubiquitous in all kinds of products on the market today, from hand soaps to building materials. Aggressively marketed to health care providers for enhanced infection control, antimicrobials are used in paint to inhibit mold and in numerous interior flooring and finish products, including carpet, privacy curtains and upholstery fa [..]

):

is a spore forming bacteria that is a leading cause of healthcare associated diarrhea. Although C. diff has been known to cause healthcare associated diarrhea for nearly 30 years, the emergence of more virulent strains which cause seemingly greater morbidity and mortality have increased the notoriety of C.diff in recent years. It is widely distribu [..]

The Community and Hospital Infection Control Association (CHICA

Are used in addition to Routine Practices where transmission of microorganisms by the contact route is likely. Contact with contaminated environmental surfaces or contaminated intact skin is a particular consideration.

The presence of an infectious agent on hands or on a surface such as clothes, gowns, gloves, bedding, toys, surgical instruments, patient care equipment, dressings or other inanimate objects.

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.

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