{"id":77654,"date":"2026-07-24T09:02:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T07:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.steelcobelimed.com\/?p=77654"},"modified":"2026-07-24T09:02:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T07:02:58","slug":"surface-cleaning-in-sterile-processing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steelcobelimed.com\/us\/surface-cleaning-in-sterile-processing\/","title":{"rendered":"Surface Cleaning in Sterile Processing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Authored by Randalyn Harreld, CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL, FCS, CASSPT, CSPDT, Clinical Education Manager<\/em><\/p>\n

Not only is the sterile processing department (SPD) responsible for the cleanliness of surgical instruments and medical device inventory used for patient procedures, but they are often responsible for patient care equipment, and the sterility of supplies needed for surgery. Who is responsible for keeping the environment and surfaces clean in and around the department?<\/p>\n

Whether your facility has a dedicated environmental care team who handles this or the reprocessing professionals that work the frontline every day, this article is going to touch on some best practices for surface cleaning in the SPD, and what to be on the lookout for during routine cleaning practices.<\/p>\n

Just because the decontamination space is considered the \u201cdirty\u201d area of sterile processing, it should still be kept clean and shiny, for many reasons. Primarily, because this is where most microorganisms are found, surfaces are at a high risk of becoming contaminated. All areas of the SPD should be cleaned regularly, and routine practices should be put into place to ensure the surfaces are ready for the day\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

Because so much time goes into the work completed here, dedication and steps put into our reprocessing program, why risk contaminating something you just cleaned, because the department is dirty, let alone items that have been sterilized or disinfected. And the safety of the staff who are working in the unit themselves.<\/p>\n

There are many different types of cleaning and disinfection products on the market. Let\u2019s look at some of the best practices and things to consider when creating your cleaning procedures.<\/p>\n

1. Level of Cleaning<\/h3>\n

Think about the level of cleaning you are trying to achieve. Are you simply wiping surfaces as spot cleaning throughout the day or are you doing a terminal clean with the end goal to kill microorganisms? The term fomite is something to be aware of; this includes objects or materials which are likely to carry infection, such as surfaces, doorknobs, light switches and pretty much everything found in the decontamination. A fomite can be defined as the inanimate objects we touch that carry the bacteria and microorganisms. By first understanding what it is you are working to clean, and the level of cleanliness you need to achieve, you can create your protocol. Start by answering these questions:<\/p>\n