Disinfection and Sterilization

Overview

Disinfection and sterilization are complementary processes used to reduce or eliminate microorganisms from surfaces, instruments, and environments in order to prevent the spread of infection. Disinfection destroys or inactivates most disease-causing microorganisms but does not necessarily kill all microbial forms, particularly resistant bacterial spores, and is typically achieved using chemical agents or physical methods on environmental surfaces and many reusable items. Sterilization is the more rigorous process, aiming to eliminate all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores, and is required for items that contact sterile tissue or the bloodstream; it is commonly accomplished with heat, pressurized steam, chemical sterilants, or other validated methods. Choosing the appropriate level of microbial control depends on how an item is used and its risk of transmitting infection, a principle central to infection prevention in healthcare and laboratory settings. These practices are foundational to infection prevention and control programs, especially during outbreaks and pandemics when transmission risk is heightened. Within the scope of the International Journal of Infection Prevention, which addresses the control of healthcare-associated and community infections, this page gathers peer-reviewed, open-access research relevant to disinfection, sterilization, and broader infection prevention and control practices in healthcare facilities.

Research published in this journal

1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.

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