Which category do endoscopes fall into regarding their risk of infection?

Endoscopes are classified as semicritical items in terms of their risk of infection. This classification is based on their use and the level of contact they have with body tissues. Semicritical items come into direct contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin but do not penetrate sterile tissues or enter the vascular system.

Endoscopes are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes where they come in contact with mucous membranes, such as during gastrointestinal procedures. Because the potential for transmission of pathogens exists, these instruments must be accurately cleaned and disinfected between uses to minimize infection risk. Semicritical items require high-level disinfection (HLD) to ensure they are safe for patient use, addressing the moderate level of risk associated with their usage.

In contrast, noncritical items have a lower risk of infection as they come into contact with intact skin only, while critical items penetrate sterile tissues or blood and require sterilization. Cryogenic does not apply in this context as it refers to substances or techniques involving extremely low temperatures, which is unrelated to the classification of medical instruments regarding infection risk.