Sterility is the state of being free from viable microorganisms, while sterilization is the process used to achieve that state.
In simpler terms:
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Sterilization: It's the action you take to eliminate all living microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) from a surface, object, or medium. Think of it as the method, such as using an autoclave, radiation, or chemicals.
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Sterility: It's the condition or state that results after successful sterilization. It means that a surface, object, or medium is completely free of any living microorganisms capable of reproducing or causing infection.
Here's a table to further illustrate the difference:
| Feature | Sterility | Sterilization |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The state of being free from viable microorganisms. | A validated process to remove or kill all microorganisms. |
| Nature | A condition, a result. | A process, an action. |
| Example | A sterile surgical instrument. | Autoclaving surgical instruments. |
| Assessment | Testing for the absence of microorganisms. | Validating the sterilization process itself. |
Key Considerations:
- Sterilization is a validated process. This means the method used has been scientifically proven to consistently achieve sterility when performed correctly.
- Sterility is not an absolute certainty. While the goal of sterilization is complete elimination of microorganisms, there's a statistical probability (however small) that some microorganisms might survive. Therefore, sterility is often defined as a probability of a non-sterile unit (e.g., a Sterility Assurance Level or SAL of 10-6, meaning there's a one in a million chance of a single viable microorganism being present).
- Achieving and maintaining sterility requires careful attention to detail and adherence to established protocols. This includes proper cleaning, packaging, and storage of sterilized items.
In conclusion, think of sterilization as the method used to achieve sterility. Sterility is the desired outcome – the state of being free of viable microorganisms.
