Appendix C: Infection Prevention and Control Guideline for Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Flexible Bronchoscopy – Spaulding Classification System

APPENDIX C – Spaulding Classification System

CLASS	USE	EXAMPLES OF DEVICES	REPROCESSING METHOD (MINIMUM REQUIREMENT)
NON-CRITICAL	Touches intact skin	Stethoscopes Blood pressure cuffs	Cleaning followed by intermediate or low level disinfection, depending on degree of contamination
SEMI-CRITICAL	Touches mucous membranes and non-intact skin	Gastrointestinal endoscopes Bronchoscopes Cystoscopes	Cleaning followed by high level disinfection (HLD)
CRITICAL	Enters sterile tissue, vascular system or body space	Biopsy forceps Snares / Loop Surgical instruments: Arthroscopes Laparoscopes	Cleaning followed by sterilization