Ace the CIC Challenge 2026 – Master Infection Prevention and Rock Your Career!

Chemical disinfection and thermal disinfection are recognized as the two most common methods of disinfecting surfaces and items in various settings, particularly in healthcare.

Chemical disinfection involves the use of antimicrobial chemicals that can effectively kill or inactivate pathogens on surfaces. This method is widely used because it is versatile and can be applied on a variety of surfaces, ensuring a comprehensive approach to infection prevention.

Thermal disinfection, on the other hand, uses heat, typically in the form of high temperatures, to achieve disinfection. This method is particularly effective for items that can withstand high temperatures and is commonly employed in sterilization processes in healthcare settings.

Together, these two methods address a broad spectrum of infectious agents, making them essential tools in infection control strategies. By contrasting with the other options, we can see that methods like cryogenic cleaning or ozonation may have specific applications but are less commonly implemented compared to the well-established practices of chemical and thermal disinfection.