Which process is referred to as rendering items safe to handle by sterilization?

The process that involves rendering items safe to handle through sterilization is terminal sterilization. This is a critical step in surgical settings where maintaining a sterile environment is essential to prevent infections and ensure patient safety. Terminal sterilization is performed on instruments and equipment after they have been cleaned and before they are packaged for storage.

This process typically involves the use of steam under pressure (autoclaving), ethylene oxide gas, or other methods that effectively eliminate all microbial life, including spores. When items are terminally sterilized, they are safe for use in surgical procedures, as they have undergone a systematic procedure to ensure their sterility.

In contrast, terminal disinfecting generally refers to reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms to a level considered safe but does not guarantee complete sterility. Intraoperative sterilization applies specifically to actions taken during a surgical procedure, and high-level cleaning involves methods that achieve a certain level of disinfection but do not equate to full sterilization. Thus, terminal sterilization is the specific process that ensures items are safe to handle and use in a sterile surgical environment.