Question

Purpose of sanitizing the articles before disinfecting them----------

Answer 1

Sanitizing articles before disinfecting them is done to ensure they are safe for use in public health contexts by initially reducing microbial load, and then further inactivating most remaining microbes through disinfection. The process does not achieve sterilization, but significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of sanitizing articles before disinfecting them is to remove enough microbes to achieve levels that are considered safe for public health. Sanitization can be achieved through physical means such as hot water, or chemical means. Following sanitization, disinfection involves using antimicrobial chemicals or heat to inactivate most microbes on the surface of a fomite. While this process does not lead to sterilization, because some hardy microbes like endospores may survive, it significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission.

Disinfection should be carried out carefully, balancing efficacy and safety. For example, chlorine is an effective disinfectant but can be harmful in excess. The choice between sterilizing, disinfecting, and simply cleaning depends on the risk of infection and the potential for the item to come into contact with mucous membranes, sterile tissues, or intact skin.

Sanitization is particularly important in settings such as hospitals and food service industries where high levels of microbial control are necessary to prevent infection and ensure safety. However, it's crucial to remember that not all situations require the highest level of cleanliness, as sterilization can sometimes degrade the quality of the item or be toxic to users.

Answer 2

Sanitizing articles before disinfecting them serves the purpose of reducing the microbial load on surfaces, ensuring a more effective disinfection process. Sanitization helps eliminate a significant portion of germs, dirt, and organic matter, creating a cleaner surface for subsequent disinfection to target remaining pathogens more efficiently.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sanitizing and disinfecting are two distinct but complementary processes in maintaining a hygienic environment. Sanitization involves reducing the number of microorganisms on a surface to a safe level, typically by 99.9%. This preliminary step is crucial because disinfectants may be less effective in the presence of dirt, debris, or a high microbial load. The reduction achieved through sanitization enhances the efficacy of the subsequent disinfection process.

To elaborate, consider a surface with 1,000,000 microorganisms. Sanitizing reduces this number to 1,000, leaving only 1% of the initial microbial load. This creates a more favorable condition for disinfectants to act, as they can now target a smaller population, increasing their potency. Disinfectants then proceed to eliminate the remaining 1,000 microorganisms, achieving a higher overall reduction in pathogens on the surface.

In summary, the purpose of sanitizing articles before disinfecting them lies in optimizing the disinfection process. By reducing the microbial load beforehand, sanitization creates a cleaner surface, allowing disinfectants to work more effectively and ensuring a more thorough elimination of harmful microorganisms. This two-step approach is integral in maintaining a sanitized and safe environment.