Risk Based Classification for Disinfection
- It is very important that reusable medical devices are safely reprocessed (cleaned, disinfected/sterilized) between each patient to prevent infection transmission.
- Classifying ultrasound probes based on risk associated with intended use provides a rational framework for associated decontamination methods (sterilize, high level disinfection and low level disinfection).
- One such fraework is the Spaulding Classification for determining the associated decontamination method required for reusable medical instruments according to the degree of infection transmission risk.