What might happen if sterilization processes are not properly followed?

When sterilization processes are not properly followed, the primary concern is the increased risk of infection. Sterilization is a critical procedure in healthcare settings, designed to eliminate all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, on medical instruments and equipment. If these processes are compromised, even a small number of pathogens can remain on instruments, posing a significant threat to patient safety.

The presence of microbes can lead to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which can have severe consequences for patients, including prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and in the worst-case scenario, death. This emphasizes the importance of adhering to strict sterilization protocols to ensure that all instruments are properly cleaned and disinfected, thereby minimizing the chances of infection transmission.

In contrast, the other options do not address the critical implications of improper sterilization. Instruments lasting longer or improvements in equipment function are not relevant in the context of sterilization failures, as the primary goal of sterilization is to ensure safety, not necessarily to enhance the longevity of instruments or equipment. Additionally, processes becoming more efficient is an ideal outcome of proper sterilization procedures, rather than an effect of failing to follow them. Therefore, the correct focus is on the increase in infection risk, which highlights the