Which department is the primary source of soiled items for the Central Services department?

The correct answer is found with the surgical department, which serves as the primary source of soiled items for the Central Services department. This is due to the nature of surgical procedures, where a variety of instruments, supplies, and textiles become contaminated during operations. These items include surgical tools, drapes, gowns, and other disposable materials that directly come into contact with bodily fluids or are otherwise soiled during surgical interventions.

The procedure and activities in the surgical setting generate a high volume of waste that must be collected and processed to maintain infection control and ensure patient safety. The Central Services department is responsible for collecting these soiled items, sterilizing them, and preparing them for reuse in compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

In contrast, other departments like emergency and radiology may contribute to the total volume of soiled items, but they do not primarily generate the same level of surgical contaminants as the surgical department does. Infection Control focuses on monitoring and preventing infections rather than directly handling soiled items, and their role relates more to policy and protocol rather than the source of material.