What is the primary goal of disinfection in healthcare settings?

The primary goal of disinfection in healthcare settings is to destroy pathogens. Disinfection practices are essential for reducing the risk of infection by targeting harmful microorganisms that can potentially cause disease. This process involves the use of chemical agents or physical methods to eliminate or significantly reduce the number of viable pathogens on surfaces and objects.

While cleansing surfaces is part of the overall infection control strategy, it does not specifically address the elimination of pathogens; it focuses more on dirt and debris removal. Sterilization represents a more advanced process that goes beyond disinfection to eliminate all forms of microbial life, including spores, which is not the primary goal of disinfection. Enhancing patient comfort, while fundamental to healthcare quality, is not a direct objective of disinfection processes. Thus, the focus remains on the effective destruction of pathogens to safeguard both patients and healthcare workers from infections.