What type of instruments poses the least risk of spreading infection?

Non-critical instruments pose the least risk of spreading infection because they come into contact only with intact skin rather than mucous membranes or sterile tissues. Non-critical items include things like blood pressure cuffs, safety glasses, and countertops. These instruments require a lower level of disinfection since they do not have direct exposure to pathogens in a way that critical and semi-critical instruments do.

In contrast, critical instruments, which penetrate soft tissue or bone, require sterilization because they are at the highest risk of transmitting infections. Semi-critical instruments come into contact with mucous membranes and need high-level disinfection, making them a higher risk than non-critical instruments. Reusable instruments also can be critical or semi-critical and thus demonstrate varying degrees of risk based on their intended use. Therefore, non-critical instruments are the safest option in terms of infection control.