Glossary of terms

Hospital Acquired Infection: Infection acquired during the delivery of health care within a particular health care facility. See also, Nosocomial.

 Infection Risk: The probability that a patient/resident will acquire an infection based on the characteristics of the individual, the inherent risks associated with a procedure, or other factors that might put the individual at risk for a health care-associated infection.

Nosocomial Infection: Infection acquired during the delivery of health care within a particular health care facility. See also, Health Care-associated Infection.

Surveillance: The systematic ongoing collection, collation and analysis of data with timely dissemination of information to those who require it in order to take action.

Cluster:  Three or more new nosocomial cases of C difficile infection associated with a single ward or unit within a seven-day period.

Outbreak:  Six or more new nosocomial cases of C difficile infection within a 30 day period on a single ward or unit.