Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Reducing the risk of transmitting infection by transvaginal ultrasound examination

Desinfektion von transvaginalen Ultraschallsonden – ein aktueller Überblick über Methoden und Empfehlungen

“…Internationale Leitlinien formulieren etwas präziser, wie mit der Desinfektion der Ultraschallsonden umgegangen werden soll [ 1 , 2 , 11 , 28 ], äußern sich jedoch auch nicht explizit dazu, welches der 3 Verfahren verwendet werden sollte.…”

Time‐effectiveness and convenience of transvaginal ultrasound probe disinfection using ultraviolet vs chlorine dioxide multistep wipe system: prospective survey study

“…Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) probes, used repeatedly in early pregnancy and gynecology clinical sessions, are considered to be semicritical devices owing to their contact with mucous membranes 1 . To provide safe care, consistent and thorough high‐level disinfection (HLD) of such devices is necessary owing to the persistent survival of infective bacteria and viruses on probes, probe covers and ultrasound gel following use 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 .…”

“…Multiple pathogens have been identified on probes following disinfection, including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and human papillomavirus (HPV) 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 . The concerning HPV strains, types 16 and 18, are the most common causes of cervical cancer and are highly resistant to decontamination 4 , 10 , 11 .…”

“…The lack of training or time to use correctly the abovementioned methods may result in inadequate HLD 1 , 4 , 23 , 24 , 25 . Automated hydrogen peroxide devices used within a ‘sonically activated’ closed system (instead of manual reprocessing) reduce chemical exposure and have high antimicrobial effectiveness but take 7 min per cycle 3 , 12 , 26 , 27 , 28 .…”

“…Automated hydrogen peroxide devices used within a ‘sonically activated’ closed system (instead of manual reprocessing) reduce chemical exposure and have high antimicrobial effectiveness but take 7 min per cycle 3 , 12 , 26 , 27 , 28 . Automated ultraviolet‐C radiation (UV‐C) devices offer safe and reusable chemical‐free HLD, are highly effective at eradicating pathogens, including HPV, and take 90 s per cycle 1 , 4 , 24 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 .…”