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Sterilization is a process used to destroy microorganisms on instruments, equipment, or materials. In healthcare, it is used for items that contact sterile tissue or the bloodstream. Sterilization is different from cleaning and disinfection because it is designed to destroy even highly resistant forms such as bacterial spores. The right method depends on the item's material, design, and manufacturer instructions.
read more about sterilization ...Cleaning removes visible soil, blood, and debris from surfaces or instruments. Disinfection reduces microorganisms, but it does not always destroy bacterial spores. Sterilization goes further and is used for items that need the highest level of microbial destruction. Cleaning must happen first because soil can block the sterilizing process.
Steam sterilization uses pressurized steam and is widely used for heat-safe instruments. Dry heat, ethylene oxide gas, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and other low-temperature methods are used for items that need different conditions. Some devices cannot handle heat, moisture, or certain chemicals. Staff should follow the device maker's written reprocessing instructions.
Sterilization is checked with physical, chemical, and biological monitoring. Physical monitoring tracks cycle details such as time, temperature, and pressure. Chemical indicators show that a pack was exposed to certain sterilization conditions. Biological indicators use resistant spores to test whether the process can kill difficult organisms.
Items must be dry, intact, labeled, and stored in a clean area after sterilization. Torn wraps, wet packs, open containers, or missing labels can make an item unsafe to use as sterile. Staff should inspect packaging before use. If there is doubt about sterility, the item should be reprocessed before patient care.
No. Disinfection reduces microorganisms on surfaces or equipment, while sterilization is meant to destroy all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores. The needed process depends on how the item will be used.
Blood, tissue, and debris can block steam, gas, or chemicals from reaching the instrument surface. Cleaning first helps the sterilization process work as intended.
A biological indicator uses resistant spores to check whether the sterilization cycle can kill very hard-to-destroy organisms. It gives stronger process feedback than a color-change strip alone.
No. Wet packaging can allow contamination after the cycle ends. The item should be held and reprocessed based on facility policy.
Introduction, Methods, Definition of Terms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/introduction-methods-definition-of-terms.html. Date Accessed May 26, 2026.
Cleaning. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/cleaning.html. Date Accessed May 26, 2026.
Steam Sterilization. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/steam-sterilization.html. Date Accessed May 26, 2026.
Sterilizing Practices. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/sterilizing-practices.html. Date Accessed May 26, 2026.
Sterilization for Medical Devices. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/general-hospital-devices-and-supplies/sterilization-medical-devices. Date Accessed May 26, 2026.