personal item

personal item

In health care, any object designed for use by a single consumer, e.g., bars of soap, cosmetics, shaving razors, toothbrushes, or towels.

Patient care

These items may be colonized by microorganisms, such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Safeguarding them so that they are used by only one individual, or carefully cleaned or discarded after use can prevent the spread of health care associated infections.