PROBE LAB INDIA

PREVENTION OF CROSS INFECTION IN DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND

The risk of microbial transmission during ultrasound examination procedures by increased with the use of intracavity transducers and /or where blood and body fluids are encountered.

Standard precautions should be taken to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

•  Hand hygiene before and after each examination
•  Use of personal protective equipment 
•  Maintenance of clean and/or disinfected patient equipment
•  Maintenance of clean working environment
•  Correct disposal of waste

Classification of infection risk

Critical

These items confer a high risk for infection if they are contaminated with any microorganism and must be sterile at the time of use.

Semi-critical

These items come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin, and should be single use or sterilised after each use.High level disinfection is also acceptable

Non-critical

These items come into contact with intact skin but not mucous membranes.Clean or low level disinfection is sufficient for most non-critical items after each individual use.

Cleaning and disinfection

•  All transducers that are likely to come into contact with broken skin
•  All intracavitary transducers (for example, transvaginal, transrectal, transoesophageal)
•  All transducers used during ultrasound-guided biopsy or infiltration
•  All transducers used in ultrasound-guided interventional procedures
•  All transducers used within a sterile environment (such as operating theatres)

1. TRANSABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND

To minimise cross infection the following is required:

1.Hand hygiene

• Hand hygiene must be performed before and after each patient contact.

2. Cleaning of the ultrasound transducer

• After each use, remove coupling gel from probe by wiping with a soft cloth and wash the probe with surface in lukewarm water and mild detergent with a soft sponge, gauze or cloth, removing all visible residue. 
• Do not use harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners.
• Rinse thoroughly in flowing water to remove all detergent residues. 
• Air dry or dry with a soft cloth.

3. Patients with wounds and/or abrasions

• A disposable transducer cover should be used.
• In event of blood or bodily fluid contamination, the protocol for probes used for intracavity ultrasound applies.

2. INTRACAVITY ULTRASOUND

In general, intracavity ultrasound poses an increased risk of cross-infection compared to transabdominal scanning.
The following scanning procedures carry significant risk of cross infection due to contact with mucous membranes and/or blood or body fluids.

• Transvaginal
• Transrectal
• Intracavity and wound
• Transoesophageal

To minimise cross infection the following is required:

1. Hand hygiene
2. transducer cover
3. Cleaning

Disinfection of the intracavity ultrasound transducer

• high-level instrument grade disinfectants for class are to be used for intracavitaryultrasound transducers and these include
• Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) 0.55%
• Gluteraldehyde 2%
• Hydrogen Peroxide, used with the Trophon EPR System
• Peracetic Acid, as in STERIS system
• Chlorine Dioxide, used with the Tristel wipes system