What type of disinfectant should be used on semi-critical instruments?

Semi-critical instruments are those that come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin, such as endoscopes and certain surgical instruments. Because these items can carry pathogens capable of causing infections, they require a higher level of disinfection than non-critical items. High-level disinfection is specifically designed to eliminate all microorganisms except large numbers of bacterial spores.

Using high-level disinfection for semi-critical instruments is crucial to ensuring patient safety as it minimizes the risk of transmitting infections. This disinfection level often includes the use of chemical agents that can effectively kill a broad spectrum of pathogens. In contrast, lower levels of disinfection, such as low-level disinfection and simple cleaning with soap and water, do not offer adequate assurance of eliminating all harmful microbes that can survive on such instruments. Therefore, employing high-level disinfection is the appropriate and necessary practice for semi-critical instruments in healthcare settings.