Review of Disinfection and Sterilization – Back to the Basics.

Author: Jin Hong YOO ¹
Author Information

1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. jhyoo@catholic.ac.kr
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: Disinfection; Sterilization; Infection control
MeSH: Classification; Disinfectants; Disinfection*; Infection Control; Methods; Oxidants; Spores; Sterilization*
From:Infection and Chemotherapy 2018;50(2):101-109
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: In-depth knowledge of disinfection and sterilization is a key component of infection control. Sterilization completely removes a spore, whereas disinfection cannot. Disinfectants are classified as oxidants and non-oxidants. The decision regarding which method to apply is based on Spaulding's classification. In this article, disinfection and sterilization are thoroughly reviewed, and extensive information from basic to practical points is discussed.