Evaluation of procedures for decontaminating ultrasound probes

Hayashi, Shunji; Koibuchi, Harumi; Taniguchi, Nobuyuki; Hirai, Yoshikazu

doi:10.1007/s10396-011-0332-9

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Our previous study also confirmed that unwiped ultrasound probes could become contaminated with bacteria that might be transmitted from patient to patient [6]. That study detected coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) from as major bacterial species transmitted via ultrasound probes, followed by Corynebacterium species, Bacillus species, and Staphylococcus aureus including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).…”

Section: Bacterial Contamination Via Ultrasound Probessupporting

confidence: 70%

“…Our study showed that bacterial transmission could be almost completely prevented by wiping ultrasound probes with an alcohol-soaked paper towel [6]. Again, frequent alcohol disinfection can cause ultrasound probes to break down and impaired imaging [8], so wiping probes with alcohol-soaked paper towel after every examination may be a limited driving-force in clinical practice.…”

Section: Procedures For Decontaminating Ultrasound Probesmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…We have studied these topics as a unique and important field [6][7][8]. In this review, we briefly summarize our knowledge of ultrasound probe-related bacterial transmission.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultrasound probes as a possible vector of bacterial transmission

2013

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Ultrasound probes are usually in a direct contact with the skin when used for detecting pathologic abnormalities. The probe could be a vector of bacterial transmission, but there have been few studies on this topic. We have made such studies, briefly reviewing 1) the conditions governing a possible bacterial transmission by probe, 2) the deterioration of an ultrasound probe by alcohol disinfection, 3) a suitable method for evaluating bacterial contamination of an ultrasound probe, and 4) the best procedure for decontaminating such probes. This paper may lead to a formal consideration of the relationship between ultrasound probes and their roles in bacterial transmission in clinical practice.

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Section: Bacterial Contamination Via Ultrasound Probessupporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Procedures For Decontaminating Ultrasound Probesmentioning

confidence: 72%

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Ultrasound probes as a possible vector of bacterial transmission

2013

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“…By now, there is no consensus regarding these protocols for rheumatology settings. Reports of infectious diseases transmitted via probe or associated with the use of transmission gel occur more frequently in surgical healthcare settings, in patients with unhealed wounds, burns and those in intensive care units [24,25,41,42]. Some recent general guidelines which include the obligation of using sterile gel were proposed in order to minimize the infection risk [43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Repetitive use of the same transducer in different anatomic areas or between different patients, the small distance between the transducer and injection site raises the question for the true risk of septic complications when performing these kinds of manoeuvres [22][23][24][25][26]. On the other hand, sophisticated disinfection protocols are time consuming and expensive and, at the end, may limit the number of performing physicians.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Musculoskeletal ultrasound guided manoeuvres – security profile

Micu¹,

Vlad

Bolboacă

et al. 2014

Med Ultrason

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Background: In daily rheumatology clinical practice, routine interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) guided maneuvers such as aspiration, intraarticular or periarticular drug injections require efficient cleaning and disinfection methods for both transducer and patient's skin. Aim: To study the efficacy of probe and skin disinfection measures after using simple protocols, to identify the prevalence of septic and other drug related side effects after MSUS guided interventions and to quantify the total procedure time. Material and methods: Recruitment of consecutive patients with different joint/ periarticular MSUS guided interventions was made in 3 medical centers. Bacterial load was determined on the transducers footprint after dry cleaning with the removal of any gel trace and on patient's skin after rigorous skin disinfection with either Bethadine or alcohol 70° and Bethadine. Non-sterile gel was used as an ultrasound transmission medium. The time spent for some of the invasive procedures was quantified. Results: Nine hundred and ninety eight MSUS guided interventional maneuvers were performed in 945 patients with inflammatory and degenerative musculoskeletal pathologies. Staphylococcus epidermidis was identified in 13.33% cases of the skin bacterial load analysis and in 37.50% cases of the footprint analysis. In two patients pathogenetic germs were detected on the skin. No septic post-procedural complications were reported. In 0.6% of the cohort other side effects occurred: aseptic osteonecrosis, skin depigmentation at injection site and iatrogenic microcristaline reactions. The median time frame dedicated to the intervention was 6 minutes. Conclusion: Rigorous transducer dry cleaning and Bethadine/ Bethadine and alcohol 70° skin disinfection are efficacious methods. The risk for septic complications and other drug related side effects related to MSUS guided injections is very low in this context. A correct injection technique must accompany the previous requests. Rapid and safe interventional maneuvers reduce the risks and control the costs of the healthcare system.

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Advancing infection control in Australasian medical ultrasound practice

Westerway

Basseal

2017

Australas J Ultrason Med

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Introduction/Aims: Australasia is witnessing a rapidly increasing use of diagnostic medical ultrasound in clinical practice with industry statistics giving a conservative estimate of ten million scans performed annually in Australia and New Zealand. Ultrasound practice has broadened from its traditional use in radiology, obstetrics and gynaecology, vascular and cardiology specialties to embrace emergency medicine, rheumatology, midwifery, physiotherapy, paramedics and other point of care practice. With this expansion of practice comes an increase in the potential risk for ultrasound transmitted bacterial or viral infection due to suboptimal cleaning habits of transducers, cords and keyboards. Results/Conclusion: This study describes results of an Australasian survey on the disinfection and hygiene practice in medical ultrasound. Results highlighted a significant need for updated guidelines and education on infection prevention and control in medical ultrasound.

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Evaluation of procedures for decontaminating ultrasound probes

Abstract: Improperly decontaminated ultrasound probes can transmit bacteria among patients. Ultrasound probes should be decontaminated by wiping with a paper towel after examinations to prevent bacterial transmission. Plain or ethanol-soaked paper towels should be used depending on the situation.

Cited by 17 publications

References 13 publications

Ultrasound probes as a possible vector of bacterial transmission

Ultrasound probes as a possible vector of bacterial transmission

Musculoskeletal ultrasound guided manoeuvres – security profile

Advancing infection control in Australasian medical ultrasound practice

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