Destruction of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins or vectors by direct exposure to chemical or physical agents.
- concurrent d. application of disinfective measures as soon as possible after discharge of infectious material from the body of an infected person, or after soiling of articles with such infectious discharges.
- terminal d. application of disinfective measures after the patient has been removed, e.g., by death, or has ceased to be a source of infection.
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n.
the process of eliminating infective microorganisms from contaminated instruments, clothing, or surroundings by using physical means or chemicals (disinfectant).
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dis·in·fec·tion (dis″in-fekґshən) the process of destroying pathogenic organisms, or of rendering them inert, especially as applied to the treatment of inanimate materials to reduce or eliminate infectious organisms. Cf. antisepsis.Medical dictionary. 2011.