Sterilization and disinfection
Infection prevention distinguishes sterilization, which destroys all forms of microbial life including bacterial spores under validated conditions, from disinfection, which reduces specified organisms.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Sterilization and disinfection — learning map
Original conceptual SVG · scalableOriginal schematic relationship map for this topic; relationships are organized for study, not intended as an anatomical depiction or a diagnostic algorithm.
Sterilization
Steam sterilization, when appropriate for an item and conducted in a validated cycle, can destroy spores and other microorganisms.
Disinfection
High-, intermediate- and low-level processes differ in organisms targeted; effectiveness depends on correct concentration, contact time and surface preparation.
Cleaning first
Cleaning reduces bioburden and material that can interfere with later disinfection or sterilization.
Device risk categories
Items contacting sterile tissue generally need sterilization; items contacting mucous membranes or intact skin have different minimum reprocessing requirements.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.