In the context of infection control, 'sanitation' is understood as?

Sanitation refers to routine cleaning practices that focus on reducing the number of pathogens to levels considered safe. This process typically involves both physical removal of dirt and organic matter and the application of appropriate cleaning agents. It aims to create a hygienic environment, thereby minimizing the risk of infection or disease transmission.

In contrast to sanitation, the highest level of cleaning would be associated with complete sterilization, which eliminates all forms of microbial life, including spores. This process is more stringent and typically reserved for medical procedures or instruments that must be entirely free from pathogens.

While disinfectants play a crucial role in infection control by killing or inactivating pathogens on surfaces, their application alone does not encompass the broader concept of sanitation, which includes both cleaning and the reduction of pathogens. Therefore, the understanding of sanitation in an esthetic and infection control context is best encapsulated by its focus on routine cleaning and pathogen reduction, making that the most fitting definition.