Sterilization/disinfection: correcting common misconceptions in the office setting.

Nurses in office surgical facilities are often responsible for the processing of instruments and supplies for intraoperative use. Decontamination, preparation and packaging, sterilization, monitoring of the sterilization process, and storage are all key elements in infection control. Practices should be continually updated based on the latest research to enable the office surgical facility to provide the patient with the highest quality of care.