Which of the following is a method of high-level disinfection?

High-level disinfection is a critical process in healthcare settings, particularly for medical instruments that come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin. Glutaraldehyde is recognized as a potent high-level disinfectant due to its effectiveness in killing a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and certain spores, when used properly.

The process typically involves soaking the items in a glutaraldehyde solution for a specified period, allowing sufficient contact time to ensure that all pathogens are effectively inactivated. This makes it suitable for items that cannot withstand the high temperatures of steam sterilization, such as delicate surgical instruments.

In contrast, while bleach can serve as a disinfectant, it is typically categorized under low to intermediate-level disinfection depending on concentration and application methods. Alcohol wipes are effective for surface disinfection and some microbial reduction, but they do not achieve high-level disinfection as they do not kill all spores and certain resistant microorganisms. Soap and water primarily serve to remove dirt and organic material and do not meet the criteria for high-level disinfectants on their own.