COVID-19 Variant Strains:
What to Consider in Selecting a High Level Disinfection System for Ultrasound Probes?

4 Key Considerations:
1. Workflow
2. Traceability
3. Automation
4.Validation

1. Workflow

To meet the clinical workflow requirements, medical staff need to consider the turnaround times between patients. This will ensure ultrasound probes can be efficiently disinfected between patients to help maximise patient throughput. If efficient turnaround times are not achieved, purchasing extra probes and hiring dedicated staff in disinfecting probes might be required, adding additional costs and time in disinfecting extra probes.1-6

2. Traceability

Traceability records of HLD must be kept, by following standards or guidelines1-6 to ensure a system of traceability is in place to enable recall procedures to be followed in case of decontamination failure.

3. Automation

Automation provides further benefits over manual disinfection that includes reproducible and consistent disinfection processes between operators, reducing staff error and with no exposure to chemical fumes if UV-C High Level Disinfection is implemented.1,3-4

4. Validation

Automated verification system monitors the critical process parameters, in real time, to ensure High Level Disinfection efficacy is achieved. This is harder to achieve with a manual system.1

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  1. Nyhsen, C. M., et al. (2017). “Infection prevention and control in ultrasound – best practice recommendations from the European Society of Radiology Ultrasound Working Group.” Insights Imaging 8(6): 523-535.
  2. French Ministry of Health issues guidance requiring disinfection of endocavitary ultrasound probes https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/soins-et-maladies/qualite-dessoins-et-pratiques/securite/article/prevention-des-risques-d-infection-associes-a-l-utilisation-dessondes-d.
  3. Health Service Executive (HSE) Quality Improvement Division (2017). HSE Guidance for Decontamination of Semi-crical Ultrasound Probes; Semi-invasive and Non-invasive Ultrasound Probes. Document: QPSD-GL-028-1.
  4. Health Facilities Scotland, NHS National Services Scotland, Health Protection Scotland. Scotland, March 2016. NHS Scotland Guidance for Decontamination of Semi-Critical Ultrasound Probes; Semi-invasive and Non-invasive Ultrasound Probes. Document: HPS/HFS Version 1.0.
  5. Kollmann, C. and K. Salvesen (2017). “Best Practice recommendations for cleaning and disinfection of ultrasound transducers whilst maintaining transducer integrity.” European Committee for Medical Ultrasound Safety (ECMUS).
  6. JACQUES S. et al. (2017) GUIDELINES FOR CLEANING TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCERS BETWEEN PATIENTS World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
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