Table 59.4.

Cleaning and Reprocessing of Critical Patient Care Items

Objects	Mode of Reprocessing
Catheters (cardiac, arterial, urine)	Sterile, single use
Needles	Disposable, single use
Implantable devices	Sterile, single use
Intravascular devices	Sterile, single use
Surgical instruments	Heat sterilization in autoclaves
Arterial pressure transducers	Sterilize by heat/low-temperature (H2O2)/ethylene oxide
Diagnostic ultrasound	Sterilization/HLD as per manufacturer’s instruction
Heart–lung oxygenator surfaces	Heat/low-temperature sterilization
Hemodialysis and plasmapheresis	Heat/low-temperature sterilization
Neurological test needles	Disposable, if using reusable: Sterilize with heat/steam/sterilize by EtO

EtO, ethylene oxide; HLD, high-level disinfectant.