How would you define 'decontamination' in sterile processing?

Decontamination is defined as the process of reducing or eliminating contaminants from medical instruments and surfaces. This critical step in sterile processing is essential for ensuring that instruments are safe for use in medical procedures. Decontamination typically involves cleaning and disinfecting items to remove biological or chemical contaminants, including blood, tissue, and other potentially infectious materials.

The focus on "reducing or eliminating contaminants" highlights the primary goal of decontamination, which is to render instruments safe before they undergo further processes like sterilization. While cleaning and sterilizing are part of the sterile processing workflow, both processes serve different purposes; sterilization aims to destroy all microorganisms, while decontamination specifically addresses the removal of contaminants. This distinction underlines the importance of each phase in maintaining the highest standards of safety and hygiene in healthcare settings.