What Are the Guidelines for Cleaning Different Types of Equipment?
Different types of medical equipment require specific cleaning protocols based on their use and material composition:
- Non-critical equipment: Items like blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes that come into contact with intact skin should be cleaned with low-level disinfectants. - Semi-critical equipment: Items such as endoscopes that contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin need high-level disinfection. - Critical equipment: Items like surgical instruments that enter sterile tissues or the [vascular system]() must be sterilized.
