It is important in the overall control of hospital acquired infection. It is an essential prerequisite to disinfection and sterilisation. It also removes the organic matter on which micro-organisms might subsequently thrive. Disinfection is a process used to reduce the number of micro-organisms but not usually bacterial spores. The process does not necessarily kill or remove all micro-organisms, but reduces their number to a level which is not harmful to health.
Sterilisation removes or destroys all forms of microbial life including bacterial spores.
Each instrument or piece of medical equipment which comes into contact with a patient is a potential source of infection. Sterilisation is required for this group. Intermediate risk items come into close contact with mucous membrane or are items contaminated with particularly virulent or readily transmissible organisms. Disinfection is required for this group. Low risk items only come into contact with normal intact skin.