What information is essential on every package meant for sterilization?

The load-control number is essential on every package meant for sterilization because it serves as a unique identifier for tracking and managing the sterilization process. This number is used to verify that the items within the package were processed correctly, ensuring accountability and traceability in sterile processing.

Having a load-control number allows surgical teams and sterilization personnel to monitor the status of specific loads, facilitate audits, and locate items if there are any concerns regarding sterility or if an item needs to be recalled. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the sterilization process, ensuring that each item is correctly documented, and that any issues can be easily traced back to their source.

While other options, such as the patient ID number, expiration date, or contents list, can be important in different contexts, the load-control number specifically addresses the needs of the sterilization verification process, reinforcing the reliability of sterile instruments used in surgical settings.