Which process is focused on ensuring cleanliness and reducing the risk of infection?

Sanitation is the process specifically aimed at ensuring cleanliness and significantly reducing the risk of infection in various environments, particularly in settings such as mortuary science. It involves practices that help maintain a standard of cleanliness by removing dirt and impurities from surfaces, thereby preventing the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. This process is essential in controlling the spread of infections, especially in settings where health and safety are critical.

While sterilization is a more rigorous process that completely eliminates all forms of microbial life, including resistant spores, it is typically not required in everyday cleanliness practices where sanitation suffices. Disinfection, on the other hand, reduces the number of pathogens but does not necessarily clean surfaces to the same extent as sanitation. Hygiene encompasses personal practices that promote health, but sanitation specifically addresses cleanliness in a broader context suitable for reducing infection risk in various settings.