Which classification of medical devices must undergo sterilization after each use?

The classification of medical devices that must undergo sterilization after each use is critical devices. Critical devices are those that come into direct contact with sterile body tissues or the vascular system, making them highly susceptible to contamination. Examples include surgical instruments, implants, and catheters. Because of their nature, any contamination on these devices can lead to serious infections or complications for patients.

Sterilization is a process that eliminates all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, thereby ensuring that the devices are safe for use in invasive procedures. For critical devices, thorough sterilization is essential, and this process must occur after each use to maintain safety and efficacy in patient care.

In contrast, non-critical devices come into contact with intact skin but do not penetrate barriers, so they require less stringent disinfection methods rather than sterilization. Semi-critical devices may contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin and require high-level disinfection instead of sterilization, given that they don’t directly enter sterile areas. Hence, choosing critical devices as the answer accurately reflects the stringent requirements for sterilization in the context of sterile processing.