According to 29 CRF 1910.1030 (OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard), critical instruments intended for reuse must be sterilized. By definition, a critical instrument refers to any instrument or object introduced into the bloodstream (e.g. needles), non-invasive instruments or objects that come in contact with mucous membranes or bodily fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, mucous, cerumen), and/or any instrument or object that can potentially penetrate the skin from use or misuse. In other words, any reusable instrument used for cerumen removal must be sterilized prior to reuse. Contaminated immittance probe tips should also be sterilized prior to reuse since these items inherently make contact with cerumen. For more information, access a basic infection control article by Kemp & Bankaitis  or take advantage of free-to-view webinars on general infection control basics as well as how to prepare a written infection control plan.