Which medical term refers to the removal of microorganisms but not all spores?

Disinfection refers to the process that eliminates or destroys most microorganisms, with the exception of bacterial spores, which are more resistant and require a more rigorous method for complete removal. This process is crucial in healthcare settings to ensure the environment is free from harmful pathogens that could cause infections, but it does not guarantee total sterility—hence, spores may still be present after disinfection.

Sterilization, on the other hand, completely eradicates all forms of microbial life, including spores, which is a higher standard than disinfection. Sanitization reduces microbial counts to safe levels but does not necessarily eliminate all microorganisms, and antisepsis pertains specifically to the destruction or inhibition of microorganisms on living tissues, particularly skin.