Lesson 9 (Part 1) Flashcards
What is recommended to use in order to reduce contamination of probes to background levels?
Automated devices
What is necessary for both the probe head and handle?
Cleaning
- high level disinfection
What does cleaning and high-level disinfection reduce?
The risk of infection transmission
What percentage of bacteria contaminates the probe before disinfection?
98.8%
What are 3 types of pathogenic bacteria?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Enterobacteriaceae
- Pseudomonas
What are intracavity probes considered if they are used without a probe cover?
Semi critical devices
Why are intracavity probes that are not covered with a probe covered considered semi critical device?
Because they come in contact with mucous membranes of the vagina, rectum or pharynx
What are 3 examples of mucous membranes?
- Vagina
- Rectum
- Pharynx
What is considered the sonographers responsibility with probes?
To take the proper precautions to ensure the patient is safe from cross contamination
What do the guidelines recommend when using a probe?
That a new condom or probe cover should be used for each patient
Why should probes go through a high level disinfection process as well as using a probe cover?
Because probe covers can fail
What do most ultrasound manufacturers recommend the use of for high level of disinfection?
The use of 2% glutaraldehyde
What might 2% of glutaraldehyde do to the transducer?
It may shorten the life of the transducer
What do routine ultrasound procedures require?
Wiping of the probe, the handle and electrical cord after every patient
What must any intra cavity examination undergo?
A high level disinfection
HLD
High Level Disinfection
What has the same HLD technique as an intra cavity examination?
If patients are on isolation precautions
How are regular patient equipment cleaned?
At the discretion of the sonographer
- depends on how dirty the patient is
What is proper cleaning of the probe necessary to ensure?
The disinfection is successful
What are sani cloth plus wipes?
Is a wipe commonly used as it kills the most bacteria while maintain the integrity of the inner workings of the transducer
What do sani cloth plus kill? (10)
- E. coli
- MRSA
- TB
- Pseudomonas
- Staph aureus
- Salmonella
- VRE
- Herpes simplex
- Influenza A
- RSV
What are 5 problems in the ultrasound department?
- Time
- Space
- Training
- Knowledge
- Clear identifiers
How is time a problem in the ultrasound department? (2)
- Sometimes not enough time to do everything properly
- time is crunched - Takes time to clean in between patients
- affects the workflow
How is space a problem in the ultrasound department?
The rooms are normally relatively small
How is training a problem in the ultrasound department?
Not the best training for new devices or how to clean the machines
How is knowledge a problem in the ultrasound department?
Ultrasound is constantly changing so we need to stay on top of things
- on our own time we need to complete a certain amount of credits each year
Why has the automated HLD become the next solution in many hospitals/clinics?
For reasons of patient safety and staff compliance
What widely varies among sonographers, even at the same institution?
The soaking practices for manual disinfections
How long can manual reprocessing take?
20 minutes to complete
