What is the primary difference between disinfection and sterilization in healthcare settings?

The primary difference between disinfection and sterilization lies in the level of microbial control they achieve. Sterilization is a process that destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, spores, and fungi, typically utilizing physical or chemical means to achieve complete eradication. This is essential in healthcare settings, particularly for equipment that comes into contact with sterile tissues or the bloodstream, to prevent infections.

On the other hand, disinfection involves the reduction of the number of pathogenic microorganisms to a level that is not harmful to health; however, it does not necessarily eliminate all microbes, especially resistant spores. Disinfectants are used on surfaces and non-critical instruments to lower the risk of infection, but they do not achieve the absolute certainty of sterility. This distinction is crucial in infection control practices where the choice of method depends on the intended use of the items being treated and the level of risk involved in potential microbial contamination.