Guidance

ASC IPC guidance: glossary

Published 28 October 2026

This section explains common words, terms, and abbreviations used throughout the IPC resource. It provides clear definitions to help staff understand key infection prevention and control concepts and use the guidance confidently in practice.

Administrative controls

Procedures or policies that change how work is carried out to reduce infection risk
 (for example limiting staff movement during outbreaks, using specific care plans).

Adult social care (ASC)

All forms of personal care and other practical assistance provided for people who, because of age, illness, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, dependence on alcohol or drugs or any other similar circumstances, need such care or other assistance. Social care supports daily living so that people can remain independent and well as possible.

Adult social care settings

Settings where help and support is provided to people over the age of 18, living with disability, physical or mental illness (including dementia and cognitive conditions), or learning disabilities. This includes care homes, supported living services, day centres, extra care housing, and care provided in an individual’s own home (home care or domiciliary care).

Aerosol‑generating procedures (AGPs)

Clinical procedures that produce respiratory particles capable of carrying infectious pathogens (for example, suctioning, procedures triggering coughing).

Alcohol-based hand rub  

A preparation applied to the hands to reduce pathogens, usually containing at least 60% alcohol and meeting British safety and effectiveness standards.
Antimicrobial prescribing

The process of deciding when and how medicines used to treat infections should be given.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

When bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites no longer respond to medicines such as antibiotics, antivirals or antifungals. AMR makes infections harder to treat and increases risk of spread.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS)

A set of practices that promote the responsible use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials to ensure they remain effective. It includes using antimicrobials only when necessary and in the correct way.

Antimicrobials

Medicines used to treat infections, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic treatments.

Aseptic technique

A method used during clinical procedures to prevent contamination of wounds, devices, or sterile areas using sterile gloves, equipment, and careful handling.

Aspiration pneumonia

A chest (lung) infection that can happen when food, drink, saliva or vomit from the mouth accidentally enters the lungs instead of going into the stomach.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria

Bacteria in the urine without any symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). It does not usually need antibiotic treatment.

At-risk people

People who are more likely to get an infection or become seriously unwell from an infection because of their age, health condition, or weakened immune system.

Auditing

Process of reviewing and checking activities, processes, or records to ensure they meet required standards, regulations, or best practices and identify areas for improvement.

Bactericidal

Able to kill bacteria.

Blood or body fluid spillages

Any accidental escape of blood or body fluids like urine, faeces, vomit or sputum (spit or saliva) (for example: on the floor or surfaces).

Blood-borne virus (BBV)

A virus that can be spread through contact with blood and some other body fluids.

Carbapenemase-producing enterobacterales (CPE)

CPE are bacteria that are resistant to some antibiotics.  A person may carry CPE without feeling unwell. CPE can spread through contact with contaminated hands, equipment, or surfaces. Good infection prevention and control practices help stop the spread.

Care and Support Workers

Care and support workers are paid staff who help others with everyday activities and wellbeing so they can live as independently as possible. This term is used throughout to refer to all ASC workers or staff, including those who may not provide direct care.

Care environment

A care environment is the place where people receive care, treatment, or support.

Care equipment

Care equipment is items that help people receive care safely and comfortably.

Care home

A residential setting where adults including older adults and individuals with learning disabilities, live and receive personal care. Some care homes also provide nursing care.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The CQC is the regulator for health and social care in England, and the purpose is to make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care.

CAUTI (Catheter‑Associated Urinary Tract Infection)

UTI caused by the introduction of bacteria via a urinary catheter.

Chain of infection

Shows how infections spread. The chain has 6 interconnecting links (pathogen → source of infection → way out → spread → way in → person at risk). Breaking any one link can stop the spread of infection.

Cleaning

A process that physically removes dirt or contamination but does not necessarily destroy microorganisms.

Clinical escalation

Seeking advice or support from a healthcare professional when there are concerns about a person’s condition.

Clinical interventions and procedures

Medical or care actions performed to help keep someone healthy or treat an illness or injury.

Clinically vulnerable

Someone who has an underlying health condition that increases their risk of becoming seriously unwell from infectious diseases and may need extra protection from exposure to infection.

Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI)

An infection caused by Clostridioides difficile, which can cause diarrhoea and bowel infection.

Cohorting

Keeping a group of people with the same infection, or those without infection, together and limiting contact with other groups to help stop infections spreading. It also applies to keeping the same staff and people receiving care from them together as much as possible, and reducing mixing between different groups, to lower the risk of spreading infection.

Colonisation

When pathogens live on or in the body without causing illness or symptoms.

Commissioning organisations

An organisation that decides what services are needed, buys them, and makes sure they are delivered properly.

Contact

Direct physical contact with a person or indirect contact through contaminated hands, equipment or surfaces.

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)

UK regulations requiring employers to manage risks from hazardous substances, such as chemicals or biological agents that can cause infection.

Cryptosporidium

A tiny parasite that can cause stomach illness. It spreads through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or contact with infected people or animals. Symptoms often include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, feeling sick, vomiting, and fever. Most people recover on their own, but the illness can be more serious for people with weakened immune systems. Cryptosporidium is a common cause of illness linked to contaminated water because it can survive some water treatment processes.

Decontamination

A process that removes or destroys pathogens and other contamination to reduce the risk of infection. Three processes are commonly used (cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation) to ensure adequate decontamination.

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

The Department of Health and Social Care is the part of UK government that decides national policies and priorities for health and social care services.

Diagnostic Decision Tool (DDT)

A tool used to support assessment and decision-making about a person’s health condition.

Diarrhoea

3 or more loose stools in 24 hours.

Disinfection

A process used after cleaning to reduce the number of pathogens to a safer level. Disinfection can be carried out using chemicals, heat or ultraviolet (UV) light. It may not destroy all microorganisms, including some bacterial spores.

Domiciliary care

Domiciliary care (also called home care) is care and support provided to people in their own homes rather than in a care home or hospital.

Enteral feeding

A method of delivering nutrition directly to the stomach or intestine when a person cannot eat by mouth. This is via Naso-gastric (NG) – through the nose into the stomach, gastrostomy or PEG – directly into the stomach, and jejunostomy – directly into the small intestine.

Escalate

Raise a concern, issue or situation with a manager, senior colleague, healthcare professional or relevant external service when further advice, support or action is needed.

Exclusion period

The time a person should stay away from work, school or activities to reduce the risk of spreading infection.

Faecal-oral route

The spread of infection from faeces to the mouth, usually through contaminated hands, food, water or surfaces.

Filtering Face Piece class 3 (FFP3)

A respirator that provides the highest level of protection against pathogens that might be in the air.  

Fit checking

A check carried out every time a respirator is worn to make sure it fits properly.

Fit testing

A test to make sure a respirator forms a good seal on the wearer’s face.

Fluid balance chart

A record of how much a person drinks and how much fluid they pass out over a specific timeframe, usually 24 hours. It helps monitor hydration and health.

Fluid Resistant Surgical Masks (FRSM)

A medical mask that blocks fluids and helps prevent infection from spreading.

Fundamentals of care

Core practices to ensure people get safe, compassionate, dignified, and person-centred care.

Hand hygiene

Washing or sanitising hands to keep them clean and reduce the risk of spreading germs.

Health Building Note (HBN)

Set of guidelines that helps healthcare organisations design and build hospitals and other healthcare buildings. It includes advice on making healthcare environments safe, clean, and easy to use for patients, visitors, and staff.

National guidance on the design and planning of health and care buildings.

Health Protection Teams (HPTs)

A specialist public health team that deals with public health threats like infectious diseases, environmental hazards, and emergencies to protect the wider population.

Hierarchy of controls

Safety measures to take to reduce the risks from a particular hazard such as infection.

High‑Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs)

Serious but rare infectious diseases that can spread easily and cause severe illness. They require strict infection prevention and control measures and management. Individuals with these infections are usually cared for in specialist healthcare settings.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration (HEPA Filtration)

A type of air filter designed to remove very small particles, including dust, bacteria and some viruses, from the air.

Health Technical Memorandum (HTM)

National guidance on technical and operational standards in health and care settings.

Infection

When bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites (also known as pathogens or germs) enter the body, multiply and cause harm, making the person unwell.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

Using safe practices to stop germs from spreading and causing illness.

Infection Prevention and Control Teams

An Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team is a specialist group in health and care services that works to prevent and manage infections, helping keep everyone safe.

Infectious period

The time when a person can spread an infection to other people.

Infectious Tuberculosis (TB)

The person has TB disease in the lungs or larynx, with symptoms and can pass the infection to others. This is also known as active TB.

Impermeable bag

Bags that a liquid does not leak or pass through at any time during their use or during the washing process. 

Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)

 An ICB is the main NHS organisation that plans and funds healthcare services in a local area. ICBs work with other organisations to support safe, high-quality care, including infection prevention and control activities.

Invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS)

A serious infection where Group A Streptococcus enters parts of the body that are normally free from bacteria, for example blood.

Isolation

Keeping a person away from others to reduce the spread of infection.

Laundry

The process of washing, drying, and handling washable items.

Latent Tuberculosis (TB)

The person has the TB bacteria but is not active in the body. They do not have symptoms and cannot pass on the infection.

Legionella

A bacteria found in water systems that can make people very sick if inhaled.

Legislation

Official rules or laws created to regulate behaviour and protect people.

Linen

Washable items, such as clothing, bedding, towels, and other reusable fabric items.

Local Authority

A local authority is the local council that makes decisions about services, spending, and policies affecting people in its area.

Medicines Administration Record (MAR)

A record used to document medicines administered to a person.

Mental Capacity Act (MCA)

The Mental Capacity Act is the law that helps people make decisions safely or ensures others make decisions in their best interest if they cannot.

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

Pathogens that are resistant to several medicines used to treat infections. They can be difficult to treat.

Mouth care

Looking after the mouth, teeth, and gums to maintain oral hygiene and overall health.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

An independent organisation that provides national guidance and recommendations to improve health and social care in England.

Non-enveloped virus

A type of virus that can be harder to remove or kill using some disinfectants, for example norovirus.

Notifications of Infectious Diseases (NOIDs)

Mandatory reports made by registered medical practitioners when they suspect certain notifiable infectious diseases, allowing public health teams to respond quickly and prevent further spread.

Norovirus

Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is a highly infectious virus that causes gastroenteritis and can spread rapidly in care environments.

Outbreak

An outbreak is: When two or more people have the same infection and are linked by time and place. This includes people accessing care and support as well as care and support workers. It can also be: When the number of infections appears unusual or higher than what is normally seen in an ASC setting.

Outbreak management

The actions taken to investigate and control an outbreak and prevent further spread of infection.

Pathogen

A germ that causes infection.

Pathogens that transmit through the air

These are pathogens that travel in the air and can infect people when they breathe them in.

People/person

People who access care and support from social care services or other forms of assistance to live their daily lives and are active participants with choice and control over their support. This group includes anyone needing extra help due to age, disability, illness, or other circumstances.

Personal assistant

A person employed directly by an individual or their representative to provide care or support. Personal assistants are not employed by a provider organisation.

Personal care

Help with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, eating, drinking, using the toilet, and caring for hair, skin, and teeth.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)  

Equipment that is intended to be worn or held by a person to protect them from risks to their health and safety while at work. Examples include gloves, aprons and eye and face protection.

Pests

Pests are animals or insects that can pose a risk to human health, for example birds, rats, mice and cockroaches.

Pets

Animals that live with people and provide company or comfort.

Provider organisations

Organisations that provide care, treatment, or support services and employ staff to deliver those services. Examples include care homes, home care agencies, and supported living services.

Pyelonephritis

A kidney infection that is usually caused by bacteria. It can make a person feel very unwell and often needs prompt treatment.

Quality assurance teams

Quality assurance teams are groups responsible for making sure that health and social care services meet required standards and provide safe, effective, and high-quality care.

Respiratory hygiene

Ways to cover the mouth and nose and manage germs to stop infections spreading.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

Equipment worn over the nose and mouth to protect the wearer from breathing in harmful substances or infectious particles. Some RPE, such as FFP3 respirators, require fit testing and fit checking.

Rotavirus

A virus that can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and stomach pain. It spreads easily through contaminated hands, surfaces, food, or water. It is most common in young children and can sometimes lead to dehydration if fluids are not replaced. A vaccine is available to help protect against severe illness.

Safe

Protected from harm or danger. In care settings, this means providing care in a way that reduces risks and helps keep people accessing care and support well and protected

Salmonella

A type of bacteria that can make people ill with diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever, and sometimes vomiting. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water, or by contact with infected animals or people. Most people recover within a few days, but the illness can be more serious for some people.

Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that develops when the body’s response to an infection causes damage to its own tissues and organs. Early recognition and prompt treatment are essential.

Sharps waste

Waste involving sharps such as needles or scissors.

Single person use

An item that can be reused for the same person if cleaned and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Single use

An item that is used once for one person and then disposed of.

Spore-forming bacteria

Bacteria that can produce spores, making them harder to kill and remove from the environment.

Sporicidal

Able to kill bacterial spores.

Staff wellbeing

Staff wellbeing is how healthy, supported, and satisfied workers feel while doing their jobs.

Stakeholders

People or groups who are involved in, affected by, or interested in a piece of work or a decision. In care settings this can include people accessing care and support, care and support workers, managers, and organisations that help provide care.

Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs)

Basic infection prevention and control (IPC) measures that should be used by everyone providing care in adult social care (ASC) settings, for all people accessing care and support, at all times regardless of whether an infection is known or suspected.

Sterilisation

A process used to make an object free from all viable microorganisms including viruses and bacterial spores.

Suspect, Individual (person), Gloves and aprons, Hand washing, Test stool sample (SIGHT)

An infection prevention and control tool used to help prevent the spread of infectious diarrhoea and vomiting.

Suspected infectious diarrhoea and/or vomiting

Diarrhoea and/or vomiting where infection is suspected based on symptoms and risk factors.

Terminal clean (deep clean)

A thorough clean carried out after a person with an infection leaves an area or when an outbreak has ended.

Training and education

Activities that help people gain knowledge, skills, and understanding to do their jobs effectively and safely.

Transmission-based precautions (TBPs)

Extra infection prevention and control measures used when a person has, or may have, an infection that can spread to others.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A bacterial infection that mainly attacks the lungs and can spread to others through the air.

Tuberculosis disease (active TB)

The person is infected with TB has symptoms, feel ill and can pass the infection.

Toxoplasma

A parasite commonly associated with cat faeces, although infection may also occur through other animals and sources such as undercooked meat. It can lead to serious health issues, especially in pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

A government agency responsible for protecting public health in the United Kingdom by preventing and responding to infectious diseases and other health threats.

Unpaid carer

A person who provides care and support to a family member, friend, or neighbour who is ill, disabled, or elderly, without receiving payment.

Urinalysis

A test of a urine sample that checks for signs of infection or other health problems.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

When bacteria in any part of the urinary system cause infection.

Vaccination

The process of giving a vaccine to a person to help their body build immunity against a specific infectious disease.

Ventilation

The process of supplying fresh air to a space and removing stale air to maintain a healthy and comfortable environment.

Virucidal

Able to kill viruses.

Vomiting (regurgitating or being sick)

The forceful removal of stomach contents through the mouth.

Vulnerable site

A part of the body where pathogens can get in and cause an infection. This can include wounds, cuts, surgical areas, and places where IV lines or catheters enter the body.

Waste

Any material or item produced during health or social care activities that needs to be safely disposed of.

Water safety

Managing and maintaining water systems to prevent contamination and protect people from waterborne infections.

Water-soluble bags (sometimes referred to as ‘alginate’ bags)

Bags that dissolve or break apart when processed in a washing machine.

Work exclusions due to infection or public health reasons

Rules that prevent staff from working when they have, or might spread, an infectious disease to protect others.