Final answer:
The physical removal of blood and bodily fluids or gross debris from an inanimate object is called decontamination. It involves physically removing potential pathogens to ensure a dry environment and is distinct from sterilization, which kills microbes. Degerming is a similar concept applied to living tissues like the skin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical removal of blood and bodily fluids or gross debris from an inanimate object is called decontamination. This process is vital in healthcare settings to prevent the transmission of potential pathogens and maintain a dry environment. In contrast to sterilization, which kills all forms of microbial life, decontamination simply removes these substances physically without necessarily inactivating or destroying the microbes. In microbiology, techniques such as filtration are used to physically remove microbes from samples. Regarding living tissue, processes like handwashing and wiping the skin with an alcohol swab are considered as degerming, which significantly reduce the number of microbes to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Both decontamination and degerming are essential to protect patients and healthcare workers alike.