What type of items require immediate disposal after use in an electrology setting?

In an electrology setting, disposable items are those that are intended for single use and must be discarded immediately after their initial use to prevent the risk of cross-contamination and infection. This includes items such as gloves, cotton swabs, or any tools that come into direct contact with body fluids or skin. The focus on disposables is crucial in maintaining a sterile environment and ensuring the safety of both the practitioner and the client.

Critical items, on the other hand, typically require sterilization before reuse because they penetrate soft tissue or bone and pose a higher risk of infection. Semi-critical items, which may touch mucous membranes but do not penetrate, require high-level disinfection rather than immediate disposal. Non-critical items, often associated with skin but not bodily fluids, require cleaning and minimal disinfection but are not disposed of after each use.

Thus, disposable items are specifically designed to be thrown away immediately after a single-use, highlighting the importance of their role in infection control in an electrology practice.