What is required for critical instruments, items, and devices after each use?

The requirement for critical instruments, items, and devices after each use is that they shall be pre-cleaned, packaged, and sterilized. This process is essential in the dental practice to ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare providers. Critical items are those that penetrate soft tissue or bone and have a high risk of transmitting infection if not adequately sterilized.

Pre-cleaning involves removing any organic material to reduce the bioburden before sterilization. This is crucial because any remaining debris can inhibit the effectiveness of the sterilization process. After pre-cleaning, the instruments need to be appropriately packaged to maintain sterility until they are needed again. Finally, sterilization must be performed to kill all microorganisms, ensuring that the instruments are safe for use in subsequent procedures.

The other choices do not meet the necessary safety standards. Discarding instruments would not be practical or cost-effective, and simply cleaning them without subsequent sterilization would leave a risk of infection. Leaving items untouched until the next day does not ensure their safety and hygiene, as contamination could occur over time. Hence, the comprehensive process of pre-cleaning, packaging, and sterilizing is the only appropriate and regulatory-compliant method for handling critical instruments and devices after use.