Which infection control procedure involves the complete elimination of all microbial life?

The procedure that involves the complete elimination of all microbial life is sterilization. This process goes beyond simply reducing the number of microorganisms; it ensures that all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, spores, and fungi, are eradicated. Sterilization typically involves methods such as autoclaving (using steam and pressure), dry heat, or chemical agents designed specifically to achieve this level of efficacy.

In contrast, disinfection refers to reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms to a level that is unlikely to cause disease, but it does not eliminate all microorganisms. Sanitation generally aims to reduce the number of germs to safe levels as established by public health standards, but does not necessarily kill all microorganisms either. Antisepsis involves the application of antiseptics to living tissue to inhibit microbial growth, rather than eliminating all microbes. Thus, sterilization is the only procedure that guarantees complete microbial eradication.