What is the process of completely eliminating all forms of microbial life called?

The process of completely eliminating all forms of microbial life is known as sterilization. This term refers specifically to methods that destroy or remove all viable organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, from surfaces or materials. Sterilization is critical in healthcare settings to ensure that instruments, devices, and environments are free from any potentially harmful microorganisms, thereby preventing infections and ensuring patient safety.

In contrast, sanitization refers to reducing the number of microorganisms to a level considered safe for public health, typically through cleaning and disinfection processes. Disinfection involves the use of chemical agents to eliminate many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except for large numbers of bacterial spores, while decontamination is a broader term that encompasses the reduction of pathogens to safe levels through physical or chemical means.

Therefore, sterilization is the correct choice because it emphasizes the complete eradication of all microbial life, which is essential in various medical and laboratory environments where the highest level of cleanliness and safety is required.