What process is used to wash and remove blood and tissue from medical instruments?

The correct answer is sanitization. This process specifically refers to the cleaning and removal of blood, tissue, and other debris from medical instruments to reduce the number of microorganisms to a safe level. Sanitization is essential in a healthcare setting to ensure that instruments are safe for use, particularly before they undergo further processes such as disinfection or sterilization.

Sanitization involves both physical cleaning (such as washing with soap and water) and chemical agents that help reduce contamination. Its primary goal is to create a safe environment for patients and healthcare providers by minimizing the risk of infection.

In contrast, disinfection goes a step further by killing or inactivating specific pathogens on surfaces or instruments but may not remove all types of microorganisms or visible debris. Sterilization is an even more rigorous process that eliminates all microorganisms, including spores, through methods like autoclaving, and is typically used for instruments that come into contact with sterile body areas. Degermation, which involves the mechanical removal of microbes, usually refers to skin preparation rather than instruments.