In which category do digital x-ray sensors fall for infection control purposes?

Digital x-ray sensors are classified as semi-critical items for infection control purposes. This classification is based on the nature of their use and the type of contact they have with patients. Semi-critical items are those that come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin but do not penetrate them.

Digital x-ray sensors, while used intraorally and thus in close contact with the oral cavity, do not typically penetrate body tissues. However, they are exposed to saliva and potentially blood during imaging procedures, which necessitates rigorous infection control practices to avoid cross-contamination.

Because these sensors require a higher level of disinfection than non-critical items, which only touch intact skin and pose a lower risk of infection, they must undergo appropriate sterilization or high-level disinfection protocols after each use, aligning with the standards set for semi-critical instruments. This is why the correct answer is semi-critical.