High level disinfection is used for which type of items?

High level disinfection is specifically used for items that come into contact with non-intact skin, blood, and mucous membranes because this level of disinfection effectively eliminates virtually all microorganisms, except large numbers of bacterial spores. It is essential in medical settings to mitigate the risk of infection. Since these items are likely to harbor pathogens, high level disinfection ensures a higher standard of safety compared to other methods.

Items that contact intact skin require a lower level of disinfection, typically referred to as sanitization, since intact skin serves as a natural barrier to pathogens. Cosmetic items do not generally require high level disinfection unless they are used in invasive procedures. Lastly, not all items in a medical setting necessitate high level disinfection; the method used depends on the risk associated with the particular type of item. Therefore, high level disinfection is specifically applied to those items defined in the correct choice to ensure proper sterilization in contexts where there is potential exposure to pathogens.