Sterilization and Disinfection in the ICU

Abstract

The mission of asepsia procedures in hospitals is to avoid the transmission of potentially pathogenic microorganisms from patient to patient, from health care personnel to patient, and from patient to personnel. Providing adequate health care with a high level of asepsia and at the same time interrupting the transmission of microorganisms are key steps in the attempts to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infectious diseases. The contamination of medical equipment — due either to inadequate cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing of medical devices and environmental surfaces, or to inadequate reuse of material — exposes patients to a high risk of nosocomial infection. This risk is particularly high in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).