What is the primary focus of sterilization in central services?

The primary focus of sterilization in central services is the elimination of all microorganisms. This is crucial because sterile items are often used in surgical and invasive procedures where the risk of infection must be minimized. Achieving complete sterility ensures that no viable organisms are present to potentially cause an infection when these items come into contact with the patient.

While protecting staff, reducing waste, and minimizing the use of chemicals are important considerations in the broader context of central services operations, they do not specifically define the critical goal of the sterilization process. The essence of sterilization is to ensure that all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, are eradicated from the instruments and supplies that will be used in patient care. This means that protocols and methods are strictly designed to achieve thorough sterility, as any residual microorganisms could result in serious complications for patients undergoing medical procedures.