5. Levels of sterility and disinfection (with examples)

Question 1

5. Levels of sterility and disinfection (with examples)

Answer 1

Levels of sterility and disinfection
1. Critical–> equipment/materials entering the body beneath the skin or
mucous membranes require sterilization and are handled using sterile
technique (e.g. suture materials, intravenous catheters)
2. Semicritical–> equipment coming into contact with skin/mucous
membranes without penetration must be cleaned and disinfected
(e.g. endotracheal tubes)
3. Noncritical–> instruments that contact the mucous membranes or intact skin not directly associated with surgery should be cleaned and
disinfected (e.g. laryngoscope)

(Disinfection=chemical or mechanical destruction of pathogens:
in 2. Semicritical and 3. Noncritical
(in 1. Critical using sterile technique=method by which contamination with microorganisms is
prevented to maintain sterility throughout the surgical procedure))