Professor David J, Prof. David J. Weber
1University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, America
Introduction: Clinicians Need To assure proper cleaning and disinfection of endocavity ultrasound probes to prevent patient infection.
Ultrasonography constitutes an integral part of modern patient care. Now with a broader cross-section of specialists that includes radiologists, obstetricians, gynecologists, urologists and emergency physicians.
To achieve the full benefits in patient care that ultrasound brings to this broader cross-section of specialists, clinicians need to minimise the infection risk from the use of ultrasound probes and machines that are shared medical devices by assuring proper cleaning and disinfection after use.
Methods: Literature review of various surveys and research studies in ultrasound probe disinfection.
The literature review shows the risk of cross-infection through the repeated use of endocavity probes as a vector for pathogen transmission in evidence-based research. The survey studies provide further insights into the practicalities, infrastructure requirements and limitations of implementing Infection prevention processes without dedicated guidelines and medical staff training, especially at point-of-care.
Results: Complacency of Medical Staff exposing patients to avoidable infection risk.
A number of clinical surveys of sonographers and radiologists highlighted inconsistencies and lack of sufficient knowledge or training on cleaning/disinfection procedures. Including clinical workflow challenges of insufficient time between patients to implement stringent infection prevention measures in busy ultrasound units. Poor infection prevention practices can be contributed to cross-infection risk with endocavity ultrasound probes.
Conclusion: Patient Safety First.
Ultrasound technology has great promise for improving patient care and patient safety; however, it is important that we also minimise the risk of cross-infection from contaminated probes.
Biography: Prof. David J. Weber is board certified in internal medicine, infectious diseases, critical care medicine, and preventative medicine. His research career has focused on healthcare associated infections, antibiotic stewardship, new and emerging diseases, and vaccine implementation. He has published >490 peer reviewed scientific papers.