MACHINE CARE AND INFECTION CONTROL

MACHINE CARE

Ultrasound machines and in particular the ultrasound probes are very costly items. Using the ultrasound machine in ED carries the responsibility of careful machine and probe care, along with the use of appropriate infection prevention measures and post use decontamination.

Transducers and cables:

Handle the probes with care, and always return them to the probe holders on the machine.

The transducer piezoelectric elements are particularly sensitive to damage. Force to the probe surface or dropping the probe can lead to loss of elements in the transducer. Damage to the elements obviously leads to integral loss of imaging capability. This can not be repaired easily and often requires complete replacement of the probe.

When using probes for procedural guidance ensure that needles are not placed through the probe surface protective layer. Below this layer are important structures including acoustic impedance matching layer and the acoustic lens.

Transducer cables are also susceptible to damage, often from kinking or being run over by the ultrasound base/wheels. Ensure that the cables are always hung up on the provided hooks.

INFECTION CONTROL

As with any area of clinical practice infection control measures and prevention of cross contamination are essential.

Below is the Middlemore ED policy on Ultrasound probe sterilisation:

GUIDELINE ON ULTRASOUND PROBE STERILISATION (MMH)

PROBE COVERS

Sterile probe cover and sterile gel are required in any circumstance of:

• Any needle guided procedure

• Any external scan in presence of non-intact skin, or blood/body fluid contamination

DISINFECTION- LLD and HLD

Low Level Disinfection (LLD) before and after all scans should be undertaken with disinfectant wipes (not with alcohol or virkon based wipes):

High Level Disinfection (HLD) should occur if any breech in probe cover occurs or contact of the probe with any bodily fluid:

HLD is carried out using the ED based Trophon device which utilises Hydrogen Peroxide for a high level sterilisation.

• If a HLD is required please approach the ED Healthcare Associates (HCA) who can help facilitate the process.