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Reusable medical devices come in all shapes and sizes, from specula to colonoscopes. Generally, these devices have expensive compo-nents that require them to be cleaned and disinfected or sterilized. This article describes the salient points for validating that a medical device can be safely reused. It covers disinfection processes, not sterilization. The cleaning validation information contained within is germane to all reusable medical devices.

Central sterile supply departments (CSSD) are known by a variety of names in different facilities. Some go by central service, central processing, surgical supply and processing, or maybe sterile supply and distribution. Sometimes the name of the department helps the other areas of a healthcare facility to identify their specific functions.