5
Table 3. Categorization of Healthcare-Associated
Procedures According to Level of Risk for
Bloodborne Pathogen Transmission
Category II:
Procedures for which bloodborne virus transmission is theoretically possible but
unlikely (cont'd)
• Assistance with an uncomplicated vaginal delivery
e
• Laparoscopic procedures
• Thoracoscopic procedures
f
• Nasal endoscopic procedures
g
• Routine arthroscopic procedures
h
• Plastic surgery
i
• Insertion of, maintenance of, and drug administration into arterial and central
venous lines
• Endotracheal intubation and use of laryngeal mask
Category III:
Procedures for which there is definite risk of bloodborne virus transmission or that
have been classified previously as "exposure-prone"
• General surgery, including nephrectomy, small bowel resection, cholecystectomy,
subtotal thyroidectomy or other elective open abdominal surgery
• General oral surgery, including surgical extractions,
j
hard and soft tissue biopsy
(if more extensive and/or having difficult access for suturing ), apicoectomy, root
amputation, gingivectomy, periodontal curettage, mucogingival and osseous surgery,
alveoplasty or alveoectomy, and endosseous implant surgery
• Cardiothoracic surgery, including valve replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting,
other bypass surgery, heart transplantation, repair of congenital heart defects,
thymectomy, and open-lung biopsy
• Open extensive head and neck surgery involving bones, including oncological
procedures
• Neurosurgery, including craniotomy, other intracranial procedures, and open-spine
surgery
• Non-elective procedures performed in the emergency department, including open
resuscitation efforts, deep suturing to arrest hemorrhage, and internal cardiac massage
(cont'd)
