Hygiene and disinfection
Hygiene is a number of practices that are carried out to maintain health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "hygiene conditions and practices help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases". Body hygiene refers to maintaining the cleanliness of the body. Many people equate hygiene with "cleanliness", but hygiene is a further term. It contains personal habits such as the frequency with which the hands are washed, how often the surfaces at home and at work, including the sanitary facilities, are cleaned and remain free of pathogens. Medical hygiene refers to hygiene practices in connection with the administration of medication and medical care that prevent or minimize the spread of diseases.
The medical hygiene practices
This includes the insulation or quarantine of contagious people or materials to prevent the spread of an infection. The sterilization of instruments used in surgical interventions. The proper connection and tightening of injuries. The safe disposal of medical waste, the disinfection of reusable items (e.g. laundry, upholstery, uniforms). Cleaning, hand washing, especially in an operating room, but also in more general health areas in which diseases can be transmitted.
Most of these practices were developed in the 19th century and were well established until the middle of the 20th century. Some procedures (such as the disposal of medical waste) were further developed in response to the outbreaks of diseases of the late 20th century, especially AIDS and EBOLA.