Spaulding classification

Sterile processing definition

The Spaulding classification sorts patient care items by infection risk to decide how they must be processed. Critical items enter sterile tissue or the vascular system and must be sterilized. Semicritical items contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin and need at least high-level disinfection. Noncritical items touch only intact skin and need low- or intermediate-level disinfection.