Hand Hygiene

- Glossary of Terms

- Alcohol based hand rub (ABHR): A gel, foam or liquid containing one or more types of alcohol that is rubbed into the hands to inactivate microorganisms and/or temporarily suppress their growth.
- Body Fluids: Fluid produced by the body such as urine, faeces, vomit or diarrhea.
- Decontamination: A process, or combination of processes that removes or destroys contamination on an item or surface to make it safe for handling, re-use or disposal, by preventing infectious agents or other contaminants reaching a susceptible site in sufficient quantities to initiate infection, or other harmful response.  Decontamination may include cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization.
- Hand Hygiene: The process of decontaminating your hands using either alcohol-based hand rub or liquid soap and water.
- Invasive Medical Device: Any medical device that enters the body either through a body opening or through a skin or mucous membrane breaking.