What does cleaning refer to in the context of infection control?

In the context of infection control, cleaning refers to the removal of gross contamination from surfaces or materials without the explicit requirement of killing germs. This process typically involves the use of water, detergents, or other solutions to physically remove soil, organic matter, and debris. It is a crucial first step in infection control because it prepares surfaces for subsequent disinfection or sterilization processes, but it does not include the actual destruction of pathogens.

While thorough disinfection and the elimination of all pathogens are vital components of maintaining hygiene, they are not encompassed by the term cleaning itself. Disinfection typically follows cleaning and involves the application of chemicals designed to kill or inactivate germs, while sterilization ensures that all forms of microbial life are eradicated from instruments. Therefore, cleaning is specifically identified as the initial removal phase where the focus is on physical cleanliness rather than germicidal action.