Some guidelines indicate that probes used for percutaneous interventional procedure guidance are semi-critical devices , and therefore require cleaning followed by HLD . Furthermore , the IFU may not address this specific clinical scenario , leaving it up to the user to determine an appropriate level of disinfection .
So , what should users do when faced with conflicting recommendations from vendors , professional guidelines , and their own facility ’ s reprocessing policies ? Users should work closely with their facility ’ s infection prevention specialists to identify disinfection products and procedures that :
1 . Are effective and provide the desired level of disinfection ( e . g ., LLD , HLD or sterilization )
2 . Are approved for use by the probe vendor . Providers who have devices from multiple vendors must ensure compatibility of the disinfectant with each probe ;
3 . Minimize workflow disruptions
When considering a new disinfectant that is not listed in the device ’ s IFU , users should contact the vendor to see if the product is approved , but just has not been added to their device ’ s IFU . Many vendors also maintain on their website an updated list of validated cleaning and disinfection products for their systems and probes , which should be reviewed . Any deviations from the vendor ’ s recommendations should be documented in the IP & C policy document with an appropriate rationale .
In addition to reprocessing the transducer between each patient , the same must be done for the ultrasound scanner and accessories such as keyboards and gel bottles , as these also have the potential to harbor contaminants that could cause infection in patients or care givers . As the use of ultrasound continues to expand in many healthcare sectors , appropriate reprocessing of ultrasound devices is critical to ensure the safety of this increasingly important imaging modality .
Daniel A . Merton , BS , RDMS , FSDMS , FAIUM , is the ultrasound specialist and a principal project officer at ECRI .
References :
1 . Rutala WA , Weber DJ . Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities ,
2008 Update : May 2019 . Available : Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities , 2008 ( cdc . gov ) Accessed 5 / 15 / 2024 .
2 . AIUM Official Statement : Guidelines for Cleaning and Preparing External‐ and Internal‐Use Ultrasound Transducers and Equipment Between Patients as Well as Safe Handling and Use of Ultrasound Coupling Gel , Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine , 10.1002 / jum . 16167 , 42 , 7 , ( E13-E22 ), ( 2023 ). Available : Guidelines for Cleaning and Preparing External- and Internal-Use Ultrasound Transducers and Equipment Between Patients as Well as Safe Handling and Use of Ultrasound Coupling Gel ( aium . org ). Accessed 5 / 24 / 2024
3 . Sonographer best practices for infection prevention and control : Reprocessing the Ultrasound Transducer . Available : 8756479320933256 . pdf ( sdms . org )
4 . ECRI . Cleaning and disinfecting diagnostic ultrasound transducers : our recommendations . Health Devices 2018 Jul 25 . Available Cleaning and Disinfecting Diagnostic Ultrasound Transducers : Our Recommendations ( ecri . org ). Accessed 5 / 24 / 2024 .
5 . Marketing Clearance of Diagnostic Ultrasound Systems and Transducers : Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff . February 2023 . Available : Marketing Clearance of Diagnostic Ultrasound Systems and Transducers | FDA Accessed 5 / 22 / 2024
6 . Disinfection of Ultrasound Transducers Used for Percutaneous Procedures . Intersocietal Position Statement Disinfection of Ultrasound Transducers Used for Percutaneous Procedures - 2021 - Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine - Wiley Online Library Accessed 5 / 20 / 2024 .
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