What is sterilisation?

What is sterilisation?

• A. Removal and destruction of all living micro-organisms (+bacterial spores)
• B. Reduction of microbial load without necessarily inactivating spores
• C. Destruction of viruses only
• D. Washing surfaces with water

Answer: (A)

Sterilisation means completely destroying or removing all viable microorganisms on an item, including the most resistant forms like bacterial spores. That level of cleanliness is what makes something truly sterile and safe for use in invasive procedures. This is why it’s the best answer: it sets the standard at total absence of living microbes, not just reducing their numbers. In practice, this differs from disinfection, which lowers the microbial load but may not inactivate spores, and sanitisation, which reduces contamination to a level considered safe but again does not guarantee zero viable organisms. In a veterinary theatre, instruments and equipment that contact sterile tissues must be sterilised to ensure no bacteria, viruses, fungi, or spores can cause infection. Common methods include steam sterilisation (autoclaving) with moist heat, chemical sterilants for heat‑sensitive items, and other validated processes, all confirmed by appropriate indicators to verify that all microorganisms, including spores, have been eliminated.

Sterilisation means completely destroying or removing all viable microorganisms on an item, including the most resistant forms like bacterial spores. That level of cleanliness is what makes something truly sterile and safe for use in invasive procedures. This is why it’s the best answer: it sets the standard at total absence of living microbes, not just reducing their numbers.

In practice, this differs from disinfection, which lowers the microbial load but may not inactivate spores, and sanitisation, which reduces contamination to a level considered safe but again does not guarantee zero viable organisms. In a veterinary theatre, instruments and equipment that contact sterile tissues must be sterilised to ensure no bacteria, viruses, fungi, or spores can cause infection. Common methods include steam sterilisation (autoclaving) with moist heat, chemical sterilants for heat‑sensitive items, and other validated processes, all confirmed by appropriate indicators to verify that all microorganisms, including spores, have been eliminated.