Spaulding classification

Earle Spaulding of Temple University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) in a 1939 paper on disinfection of surgical instruments in a chemical solution proposed "a strategy for sterilization or disinfection of inanimate objects and surfaces based on the degree of risk involved in their use".{{Cite web|date=2020-08-10|title=Glossary {{!}} Infection Prevention & Control in Dental Settings {{!}} Division of Oral Health {{!}} CDC|url=https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/glossary.htm|access-date=2021-01-16|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us}} In order to simplify the nature of the disinfection process, Spaulding classified instruments and items used in patient care according to infection risk into "critical", "semicritical", and "noncritical" categories.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008|url=https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/pdf/guidelines/disinfection-guidelines-H.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention}} He also classified levels of germicidal activity as "high", "intermediate", and "low". While influential, the Spaulding scheme is susceptible to oversimplification and can be difficult to implement.