| Main Entry: | cross contamination |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | the passing of bacteria, microorganisms, or other harmful substances indirectly from one patient to another through improper or unsterile equipment, procedures, or products; also written cross-contamination |
| Example: | Cross contamination can be transferred to food by hands, food-contact surfaces, sponges, cloth towels and utensils that touch raw food, are not cleaned, and then touch ready-to-eat foods. |