Disinfection and sterilization Disinfection and Sterilization Introduction Disinfection and sterilization are crucial processes in infection control and prevention in healthcare settings. These methods are used to eliminate or kill microorganisms from surfaces, medical instruments, and the environment, thereby preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and ensuring safe patient care. Both disinfection and sterilization aim to reduce the microbial load, but they differ in their level of effectiveness: The choice between disinfection and