'healthcare-associated' originates from the combination of 'healthcare' and 'associated', where 'healthcare' refers to the organized provision of medical care to individuals or a community, and 'associated' means connected or related to something.

The term 'healthcare-associated' evolved from the need to describe infections or conditions specifically linked to healthcare settings, distinguishing them from those acquired in the community.

Initially, it meant 'related to healthcare', but over time it evolved to specifically denote conditions or infections acquired in healthcare settings.