Which process must be performed on reusable surgical instruments before sterilization?

Decontamination is a critical step that must be performed on reusable surgical instruments before sterilization. This process involves the removal of all visible soil, blood, and other contaminants from the instruments to reduce the bioburden, which is the number of viable microorganisms present. Effective decontamination helps to ensure that the sterilization process can be successful, as sterile processing relies on the absence of any organic material or bioburden that could shield microorganisms from the sterilization agents.

Decontamination often involves either mechanical cleaning methods, such as ultrasonic cleaners or washer-disinfectors, or manual cleaning techniques, depending on the type and complexity of the instruments. This step is vital to prevent infection and ensure patient safety when the instruments are used in surgical procedures.

While inspection, assembly, and testing are important processes as well, they typically follow decontamination and are aimed at ensuring that the instruments function properly and are in good condition for use, rather than mitigating contamination prior to sterilization.