High-level disinfection is required for which type of items?

• A. Non-critical items
• B. Heat-sensitive semi-critical items
• C. Critical items
• D. All items including those entering sterile body spaces

Answer: (A)

High-level disinfection is used for heat-sensitive semi-critical items that contact mucous membranes or non‑intact skin. These items can’t be sterilized by heat without damage, so HLD provides the level of microbial kill necessary to make them safe for patient contact. Non-critical items, which touch only intact skin, require cleaning and low-level disinfection. Critical items, which enter sterile body spaces, require sterilization. Therefore, the correct category is heat-sensitive semi-critical items.