It is very important that reusable medical devices are safely reprocessed (cleaned, disinfected/sterilized) between each patient to prevent infection transmission.

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All medical or surgical instruments used for invasive procedures come in contact with sterile tissues or mucous membrane when used in patients. Breach in processes of cleaning, disinfection or sterilization of reusable instruments increase the risk of introduction and transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. For effective disinfection and sterilization, all articles must be freed from soil and organic matter. This is achieved by thorough cleaning of all instruments or devices. Cleaning is considered to be the most essential step in the instrument reprocessing cycle. Improper or inadequate cleaning decreases microbicidal action of chemicals and disinfectants on microorganisms.