Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Achieving Certification Success!

Ineffective removal of biofilms during cleaning leads to increased difficulty in cleaning and potential disease transmission. Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and are protected by a slimy extracellular matrix. When biofilms are not adequately removed, they can harbor pathogens that are resistant to disinfection processes. This can make it challenging to achieve a sterile environment, potentially allowing harmful bacteria or viruses to persist on medical instruments.

The presence of biofilms can also complicate subsequent cleaning efforts, as they can re-adhere to surfaces during reuse and may require more aggressive cleaning methods or specialized agents that may not traditionally be applied. This combination of remaining pathogens and increased cleaning difficulties heightens the risk of healthcare-associated infections, underscoring the necessity of effective biofilm removal in infection control protocols.