hot wash
High-temperature cleaning cycle
A hot wash is an immediate debrief conducted right after an event, exercise, or operation—while details are still fresh.
The term originated in military and emergency response contexts but has spread to business: Let's do a hot wash before everyone leaves.
Unlike formal after-action reviews, hot washes capture raw impressions before memories fade or get sanitized.
Review following completion
- debriefPost-mission questioning session
- feedbackReturned response data
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- reviewCritical written assessment
assessment · evaluation · critique · discussion · findings · recommendations · observations · insights
after-action
Review following completion
- debriefPost-mission questioning session
- feedbackReturned response data
- analysisMethodical study of parts
review · assessment · evaluation · critique · discussion · findings · recommendations · observations · insights · outcomes
sanitize
Cleanse of pathogens
- disinfectKill pathogens on surfaces
- sterilizeEliminate all microorganisms
- high-temperatureVery great heat
whites · bedding · towels · bacteria · germs · hygiene · cycle · detergent · machine · cotton
- laundrydryer, clothes dryer, fold, rinse, spin cycle
- laundry caredelicate cycle, permanent press, spin cycle, rinse cycle, tumble dry
- Debriefsafter action report, recap, lessons learned
- postmortemspostmortem, post-mortem, autopsy, necropsy, postmortem exam
- Incident Responseincident report, response team, escalation, alert, notification