Version June 2024
| Device classification | Devices (examples) | Spaulding process classification/time | Processes | EPA product classification |
| Noncritical (touches intact skin, not mucous membranes) | Stethoscopes, bedpans, blood pressure cuffs, patient furniture | Low-level disinfection: Kills most bacteria, some viruses and fungi. Cannot reliably kill resistant microorganisms (eg, tubercle bacilli, bacterial spores). | Chemical disinfectants; ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium germicidal detergent. | Hospital disinfectant without label claim for tuberculocidal activity |
| Time: 10 minutes or less | ||||
| Semi-critical (touches intact mucous membranes [except dental]) | Flexible endoscopes, laryngoscopes, endotracheal tubes, cervical diaphragms | High-level disinfection: Destroys all microorganisms except high numbers of bacterial spores. | Wet pasteurization or chemical disinfectants.* Heat sterilization preferred for between patient processing of heat stable instruments. Follow by rinsing with sterile water. | Sterilant/disinfectant |
| Time: 20 minutes or more | ||||
| Thermometers, hydrotherapy tanks | Intermediate-level disinfection: Inactivates tubercle bacilli, vegetative bacteria, most viruses and fungi. Does not necessarily kill bacterial spores. | Chemical disinfectants; sodium hypochlorite ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, phenolic and iodophor solutions. | Hospital disinfectant with label claim for tuberculocidal activity | |
| Time: 10 minutes or less | ||||
| Critical (enters sterile tissue or vascular system) | Implants, scalpels, needles, cardiac and urinary catheters | Sterilization. | Purchase as sterile. Sterilize by steam under pressure. If heat labile, use ethylene oxide gas or chemical sterilants.¶ | Sterilant/disinfectant |
| Time: prolonged contact (hours) |
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