Disinfection and sterilization of patient-care items.

This article provides recommendations on the preferred method for disinfection and sterilization of patient-care items based on the intended use of the item (i.e., critical, semicritical, noncritical). The chemical disinfectants recommended for patient-care items and instruments include glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, alcohol, iodophors, phenolics, and quaternary ammonium compounds. The choice of disinfectant, concentration, and exposure time is based on the risk of infection associated with the use of the item. The sterilization methods briefly discussed include steam sterilization, ethylene oxide, dry heat, and the new low-temperature sterilization technologies. When properly used, these disinfection and sterilization processes can ensure the safe use of invasive and noninvasive medical devices. However, this requires strict adherence to current cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization guidelines.