How long should sterilization/disinfectant records be kept?

The recommended retention period for sterilization and disinfectant records is a minimum of one year. This duration allows healthcare facilities to maintain adequate documentation of sterilization processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and protocols in the processing of flexible endoscopes. Keeping records for at least one year is considered a best practice, as it ensures that there is a reliable history of usage and validation of disinfectant efficacy. This period also aligns with various regulatory requirements and guidelines, which emphasize the importance of tracking the processing of medical instruments to ensure patient safety and effective infection control.

Records held for shorter periods may not provide sufficient documentation in the event of a quality control issue or patient safety concern, making the one-year minimum a crucial timeframe for thorough oversight and accountability in reprocessing practices.