Letter: s

The process of data collection, collation, and analysis for the purposes of characterizing risk groups and identifying control strategies.

The bodys lack of resistance to disease.

Abnormal narrowing or constriction of a passageway or opening, as an aortic (aortic artery) or pyloric (outlet of stomach) stenosis.

Generally: Free from disease causing organisms. Technically: Assurance that a given device is without living organisms. The sterility assurance level (SAL) accepted by the United States (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation – AAMI) is generally 10-6 (a probability of one non-sterile unit per million tested).

The expected probability of an item being non-sterile after exposure to a valid sterilization process. SALs normally range from 10-3 (1 in a thousand) to 10-6 (1 in a million).

The destruction of all life forms from an object or surface. In a practical sense, the definition of sterile is 1 in 1 million chance of being non-sterile. Usually done through heat, steam, radiation, or ethylene oxide although a handful of chemicals exhibit sterilization properties such as glutaraldehydes.

A large family of chemical substances, comprising many hormones, body constituents, and drugs, each containing a 17-carbon 4-ring system and including the sterols and various glycosides.

Refers to characterization or branding of an individual as disgraceful, shameful or ignominious. A healthcare provider who is avoided because of the fear that he/she could spread virus acquired from the patients being cared for is stigmatized.

Surgical opening through the skin to an internal organ. Provides access for feeding, colostomy, tracheostomy tubes.

The tunnel from the opening at surface of the body (stoma) to the organ destination.