What is the primary goal of decontamination?

• A. Make instruments aesthetically pleasing
• B. Remove or reduce contamination to an acceptable level
• C. Ensure all instruments are sterile
• D. Apply chemical agents to sanitize

Answer: (B)

The primary goal of decontamination is to remove or reduce contamination to an acceptable level. This process is crucial in surgical settings because it helps prevent the transmission of infections and ensures that instruments are safe for further processing. Decontamination typically involves cleaning to remove visible soil and bioburden, as well as applying methods to reduce the microbial load.

While sterilization is a subsequent step that ensures all instruments are free from all microorganisms, including spores, the decontamination process focuses on immediately rendering instruments safe for handling and further processing. Cleaning instruments so they are aesthetically pleasing or simply applying chemical agents to sanitize does not encompass the broader and fundamental purpose of decontamination, which is about significantly reducing contamination to a safe level for healthcare settings.