What term describes the contamination that occurs from one team member to another?

Cross-contamination refers to the transfer of harmful bacteria or substances from one person to another or from one environment to another, particularly in a healthcare setting. This can occur when team members do not adhere to proper hygiene protocols, such as failing to wash hands or use gloves properly between interactions with different patients. Cross-contamination is crucial to understand because it highlights the importance of maintaining strict infection control measures to prevent the spread of pathogens.

Disinfection refers to the process of eliminating or reducing harmful microorganisms on surfaces or objects, which is different from the interpersonal transfer of contaminants. Infection transmission encompasses a broader category of how infections spread, which can include various mechanisms beyond just team-to-team transfer. Vertical transmission specifically refers to the passing of infection from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, and does not apply to interactions among team members. Hence, cross-contamination is the most accurate term for describing contamination from one team member to another.