What process is involved in the practice of sanitization?

Sanitization is a crucial process in infection control that focuses on reducing the number of microorganisms to a safe level, as determined by public health standards. The practice involves cleaning with detergents and scrubbing, which effectively removes dirt, debris, and a significant amount of bacteria from surfaces and instruments. This method is essential in various settings, such as healthcare and food preparation, where minimizing microbial contamination is vital for safety.

The act of scrubbing with brushes and detergent not only cleans but also helps dislodge organic matter, which can harbor pathogens. This makes instruments safer for use by greatly decreasing the risk of transmitting infections. It’s important to note that sanitization does not involve killing all microbes or achieving complete sterility but focuses on achieving a standard level of cleanliness.

In contrast, methods such as using steam for killing all microbes, applying chemical germicides, or sterilizing equipment in an autoclave pertain to more intensive cleaning processes. These methods go beyond sanitization, as they either aim for complete disinfection or sterility, which are not the primary goals of sanitization itself.