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Review
. 2018 Jun;50(2):101-109.
doi: 10.3947/ic.2018.50.2.101.

Review of Disinfection and Sterilization - Back to the Basics

Jin Hong Yoo  1
Affiliations
Review

Review of Disinfection and Sterilization - Back to the Basics

Jin Hong Yoo. Infect Chemother. 2018 Jun.

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.

Keywords: Disinfection; Infection control; Sterilization.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Structure of oxidizing agents. (A) sodium hypochlorite (B) povidone-iodine (C) hydrogen peroxide (D) peracetic acid.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structure of non-oxidizing agents (coagulants). (A) ethanol (B) chlorhexidine (C) quaternary ammonium compound (D) glutaraldehyde (E) ortho-phthalaldehyde (F) ethylene oxide.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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