Which of the following is true about high-level disinfection?

High-level disinfection is specifically designed to eliminate a wide range of pathogens, making it a critical process for items that come into contact with mucous membranes. This level of disinfection ensures the destruction of most microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, but it does not achieve the same level of pathogen elimination as sterilization. The effectiveness of high-level disinfection makes it appropriate for instruments that only come into contact with non-intact skin or mucous membranes, such as endoscopes and other medical equipment used in procedures where sterility is not required, but a high degree of cleanliness is necessary.

Understanding this distinction is essential in infection control and in ensuring patient safety. High-level disinfection is robust enough for these uses, unlike sterilization, which is required for instruments that penetrate sterile body sites and must be entirely free of all forms of microbial life.