Industry glossary
Terms you will meet in the documents, systems and scenarios.
Standard precautions
The basic infection prevention practices applied to every patient regardless of their known infection status.
Reprocessing
The cleaning, inspection, packaging, sterilisation and storage of reusable medical devices so they are safe to use on the next patient.
Chemical indicator
A strip or mark inside or on a pack that changes colour when exposed to the sterilising conditions.
Cold chain
The system of storing and transporting vaccines between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius from manufacture to administration.
Imprest
An agreed stock of medicines and consumables held in a clinical area and topped up by the pharmacy to a set level.
Scheduled medicine
A medicine classified under the national poisons schedule that sets the controls on its supply, storage and recording.
Draw order
The sequence in which blood collection tubes are filled so that additives do not contaminate later tubes.
Open disclosure
The open discussion with a patient and their family about an incident that caused harm, including an apology and an explanation.
Delegation
A registered health professional assigning specific tasks to an assistant while retaining responsibility for the patient's care.
Severity assessment rating
A scale from 1 to 4 used to rate the actual or potential harm of a clinical incident and decide the level of investigation.