An alcohol-containing wipe used to clean non-soiled shared patient equipment in between each patient use e.g. blood pressure cuffs.

An alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands in order to reduce the number of viable organisms with maximum efficacy and speed.

The presence of bacteria in the blood.

Any situation where contact with body fluids may occur. Such contact may pose a contamination risk to either the healthcare worker or the environment.

Any substance secreted by the body with the exception of sweat. These include:
Blood, Lochia, Saliva, Secretions from mucous membranes, Pus, Gastric and respiratory secretions, Semen, Tears, Wax, Breast milk, Colostrum, Urine, Faeces, Meconium, Vomitus, Pleural fluid, Cerebrospinal fluid, Ascites fluid, Biliary fluid, Bone Marrow, Organic body samples – eg. Biopsy samples, organ and cell samples.

Confidence intervals calculate the range in which the true compliance result lies, based on the data collected & the compliance measured, thus providing an indication of the reliability of the reported hand hygiene compliance level. When only a small number of moments are collected, the confidence interval will be larger, as it is more difficult to establish the true compliance level from a small sample of moments. If a large number of moments are collected the confidence interval will be smaller, meaning the reliability of the result is higher. HHA calculate 95% confidence intervals, indicating the intervals in which 95% of the time the true compliance level lies.

The touching of any patient, their immediate surroundings or performing any procedure.

Application of either an antimicrobial soap/solution and water or an alcohol-based hand rub product, to the surface of the hands. This process reduces microbial counts on hands.

A detergent-containing wipe used for cleaning lightly soiled shared patient equipment in between each patient use.

Ingredient(s) added to hand hygiene products to moisturise and protect the skin from frequent product use.

Glove use by healthcare workers is recommended for two main reasons: to prevent micro-organisms which may be infecting, commensally carried, or transiently present on healthcare workers hands from being transferred to patients and from one patient to another; and to reduce the risk of healthcare workers acquiring infections from patients.

Actions to reduce the risk of skin damage or irritation. For example, using a moisturiser regularly throughout the day.

A process that reduces the number of micro-organisms on hands. Hand hygiene is a general term applying to the use of soap/solution (non-antimicrobial or antimicrobial) and water or a waterless antimicrobial agent (e.g. alcohol-based handrub) to the surface of the hands.

A Hand Hygiene Action can be undertaken either by rubbing with an alcohol-based handrub, or hand washing with soap and water.

A measurement of appropriate hand hygiene (HH). It is defined when HH is considered necessary and is classified according to one of the “5 Moments” (see below). If the action is performed when there is no indication and it has no impact in terms of preventing microbial transmission, then it is not considered to be an act of HH compliance. The number of Moments constitutes the denominator for assessing HH compliance. The actual HH actions undertaken are compared to the number of Moments observed to calculate the rate of HH compliance. HH non-compliance is defined when there is an indication for HH (i.e. a “Moment”) and yet no HH was undertaken.

A measure of the agreement or consistency of ratings between two or more hand hygiene observers after observing the hand hygiene compliance on a series of subjects.

Moments are based on those defined by the WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene. Some minor modifications have been made for Australian healthcare conditions. A Moment is when there is a perceived or actual risk of pathogen transmission from one surface to another via the hands. HCWs’ hands will come in contact with many different types of surfaces while undertaking a succession of tasks.

The 5 Moments for HH are:

Moment 1:      Before touching a patient
Moment 2:      Before a procedure
Moment 3:      After a procedure or body fluid exposure risk
Moment 4:      After touching a patient
Moment 5:      After touching a patient’s surroundings

In Australia the term ‘Moment’ is used.

However, the WHO define a hand hygiene opportunity as the time between the moment when hands becoming colonised after touching a patient/surface and the moment in which hands touch the next patient/surface; i.e. the opportunity when hand hygiene should be performed.

Any product used for the purpose of hand hygiene, including soap and water.

The application of soap and water to the surface of the hands.

Any employee of a healthcare institution who has patient care responsibilities and / or contact with a patient (see Contact).

Refers to all regions outside of the Patient zone. This includes the curtains, partitions and doors between separate patient areas.

The healthcare surroundings contain multiple organisms from patients, staff and visitors. 

Infections that originate from, or are related to, a healthcare setting or the delivery of healthcare.

An infection that was not present or incubating prior to the patient being admitted to the hospital, but occurred > 48 hours after admittance to the hospital. HAI’s are also termed nosocomial infections.

A measure of agreement or consistency of ratings by two or more observers on a series of subjects.

A measure of agreement or consistency of two or more ratings by a single observer on a series of subjects.

Any piece of equipment that enters a patient’s skin or body cavity. This encompasses the entire device (eg. IV line, IV pump and IV pole).

Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to methicillin/flucloxacillin. Commonly referred to as “golden staph”.

Staphylococcus aureus that is susceptible to methicillin/flucloxacillin.

Is an area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goal of all occupational safety and health programs is to foster a safe work environment.

Is the sum of the number of occupied beds for each day of the specified period.

A feature used to describe the effects of care on the health status of patients and populations (e.g. infection rate).

Includes any part of the patient, their clothes, or any medical device that is connected to the patient.

If the patient were to get up out of bed and walk off, what would still be attached? These items become part of the "patient".

This involves touching the patient, and their immediate surroundings or performing any procedure on the patient.

The Patient Surroundings is the space temporarily dedicated to an individual patient for that patient’s stay. This includes, furniture, medical equipment,medical chart and personal belongings that are touched by the patient and healthcare workers while caring for that patient.

Includes the Patient and the Patient Immediate Surroundings.

The patient zone is a space dedicated to an individual patient for that patient's stay. This area is cleaned between the discharge of one patient and the arrival of the next to minimise the risk of transmission of organisms between patients.

The place where three elements come together: the patient, the healthcare worker, and the care or treatment involving contact with the patient or his/her surroundings. A hand hygiene product should be easily accessible and as close as possible – within arms reach of where patient care or treatment is taking place. Point of care products should be accessible without having to leave the patient zone.

Is an act of care for a patient where there is a risk of direct introduction of a pathogen into the patient’s body.

Is a measurement of what is actually done in giving and receiving care, e.g. timing of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, measuring how many times staff wash hands.

A guideline; sample suggestion; to advise

The extent to which a measurement is consistent and free from error.

A separation from a healthcare facility occurs anytime a patient leaves due to discharge, death, or transfer.

A task performed in such a way as to avoid microbial contamination or inoculation.

A method to quantify healthcare worker behaviour using a format that is structured in a manner that is likely to avoid bias and improve consistency. Structured observations provide information on what people actually do, rather than on what they say they do or did. They also provide information on the associated activities and behaviours that precede and follow hand hygiene compliance.

Antiseptic handwash or antiseptic handrub performed preoperatively by the surgical team to eliminate transient flora and reduce resident skin flora. Such antiseptics often have persistent antimicrobial activity.

Refers to the accuracy of a measure. It is the extent to which a measuring instrument actually measures what it is supposed to measure

The World Health Organisation