Which of these is classified as a critical instrument in infection control?

Surgical scalpels are classified as critical instruments in infection control because they are used in surgical procedures and can penetrate soft tissue and bone. Due to their role in invasive procedures, they have a high risk of transmitting infections if not properly sterilized. Critical instruments are defined as those that come into contact with sterile body tissues or the vascular system, and therefore they must be heat-sterilized after each use to ensure that all microbial life, including bacterial spores, are eliminated. This strict sterilization process is essential to prevent the transmission of pathogens during surgical interventions.

In contrast, digital x-ray sensors, impressions, and face masks fall into different categories of instrumentation based on their levels of contact with patients or biological materials. Digital x-ray sensors may encounter saliva but are typically processed and disinfected rather than sterilized. Impressions can also be considered semi-critical, as they come into contact with mucous membranes, requiring disinfection but not necessarily sterilization. Face masks are considered non-critical as they primarily act as barriers to droplet transmission and do not come into contact with sterile tissues. Therefore, only surgical scalpels meet the criteria for critical instruments in the context of infection control protocols.