Which procedure is commonly used for sterilizing surgical instruments in a clinical setting?

The procedure commonly used for sterilizing surgical instruments in a clinical setting is autoclaving. Autoclaving utilizes steam under pressure to achieve sterilization by effectively killing all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, and spores. This method is highly effective because it penetrates porous materials and ensures that instruments are thoroughly sterilized.

For clinical settings where patient safety is paramount, autoclaving is considered the gold standard because it guarantees that instruments are safe for use in surgeries and other medical procedures. The high temperature and pressure involved not only eliminate pathogens but also provide a reliable method for ensuring that all instruments are sterile, which is critical in preventing infections.

Other methods mentioned, such as disinfection, sanitation, and cleaning with soap, primarily focus on reducing the number of pathogens or cleaning surfaces, but they do not achieve complete sterilization, which is required for surgical instruments.