Environmental decontamination refers to the process by which environmental contamination is reduced to a level that is not harmful to health. Decontamination of the environment can be achieved through:

 Cleaning
 Disinfection

Contamination of the Environment plays a key role in the transmission of some pathogens that cause healthcare-associated infection. This article is the first in a three-part series looking at cleaning and disinfection in healthcare settings. It describes the process of environmental decontamination, which includes cleaning and disinfection and focuses on the nurse’s role in ensuring the environment is safe for patients.