Sterilization and Disinfection

Sterilization is the process of completely destroying all forms of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, using physical or chemical methods. Its purpose is to remove all possible microorganisms from a given material.

Sterilization involves the complete destruction of all forms of microorganisms, while disinfection only reduces the number of microorganisms to a safe level.

Decontamination is the process of removing microorganisms from objects to make them safe to use or discard.

<p>Yes, cleaning is a form of decontamination. It involves the physical removal of dirt and organic/inorganic matter, which can harbor microorganisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sterilization and disinfection are important in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of diseases among patients and staff by controlling or removing harmful microorganisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers