Many supplies such as gloves, surgical blades, and suture materials are commercially available in sterile packs. It is frequently necessary to sterilize, in-house, items such as surgical instruments, drapes, gowns, and instrumentation and catheters for chronic implants. In considering methods for sterilization procedures, it is important to differentiate between sterilization and disinfection.
Sterilization kills all viable microorganisms.
D isinfection only reduces the number of viable microorganisms. High level disinfection will kill most vegetative microorganisms but will not kill the more resistant bacterial spores. Commonly used disinfectants such as alcohol, iodophors, quaternary ammonium and phenolic compounds are not effective sterilants and, therefore, are not acceptable for use on items intended to be used in survival surgical procedures. However, cold chemical sterilants may be used effectively for many items. Gas sterilization with ethylene oxide using an approved gas sterilizer and appropriate monitoring systems to assure sterility and personnel safety.