Lesson 9 (Part 1)

Question 1

What is recommended to use in order to reduce contamination of probes to background levels?

Answer 1

Automated devices

Question 2

What is necessary for both the probe head and handle?

Answer 2

Cleaning

- high level disinfection

Question 3

What does cleaning and high-level disinfection reduce?

Answer 3

The risk of infection transmission

Question 4

What percentage of bacteria contaminates the probe before disinfection?

Answer 4

98.8%

Question 5

What are 3 types of pathogenic bacteria?

Answer 5

1. Staphylococcus aureus
2. Enterobacteriaceae
3. Pseudomonas

Question 6

What are intracavity probes considered if they are used without a probe cover?

Answer 6

Semi critical devices

Question 7

Why are intracavity probes that are not covered with a probe covered considered semi critical device?

Answer 7

Because they come in contact with mucous membranes of the vagina, rectum or pharynx

Question 8

What are 3 examples of mucous membranes?

Answer 8

1. Vagina
2. Rectum
3. Pharynx

Question 9

What is considered the sonographers responsibility with probes?

Answer 9

To take the proper precautions to ensure the patient is safe from cross contamination

Question 10

What do the guidelines recommend when using a probe?

Answer 10

That a new condom or probe cover should be used for each patient

Question 11

Why should probes go through a high level disinfection process as well as using a probe cover?

Answer 11

Because probe covers can fail

Question 12

What do most ultrasound manufacturers recommend the use of for high level of disinfection?

Answer 12

The use of 2% glutaraldehyde

Question 13

What might 2% of glutaraldehyde do to the transducer?

Answer 13

It may shorten the life of the transducer

Question 14

What do routine ultrasound procedures require?

Answer 14

Wiping of the probe, the handle and electrical cord after every patient

Question 15

What must any intra cavity examination undergo?

Answer 15

A high level disinfection

Question 16

HLD

Answer 16

High Level Disinfection

Question 17

What has the same HLD technique as an intra cavity examination?

Answer 17

If patients are on isolation precautions

Question 18

How are regular patient equipment cleaned?

Answer 18

At the discretion of the sonographer

- depends on how dirty the patient is

Question 19

What is proper cleaning of the probe necessary to ensure?

Answer 19

The disinfection is successful

Question 20

What are sani cloth plus wipes?

Answer 20

Is a wipe commonly used as it kills the most bacteria while maintain the integrity of the inner workings of the transducer

Question 21

What do sani cloth plus kill? (10)

Answer 21

1. E. coli
2. MRSA
3. TB
4. Pseudomonas
5. Staph aureus
6. Salmonella
7. VRE
8. Herpes simplex
9. Influenza A
10. RSV

Question 22

What are 5 problems in the ultrasound department?

Answer 22

1. Time
2. Space
3. Training
4. Knowledge
5. Clear identifiers

Question 23

How is time a problem in the ultrasound department? (2)

Answer 23

1. Sometimes not enough time to do everything properly
   - time is crunched
2. Takes time to clean in between patients
   - affects the workflow

Question 24

How is space a problem in the ultrasound department?

Answer 24

The rooms are normally relatively small

Question 25

How is training a problem in the ultrasound department?

Answer 25

Not the best training for new devices or how to clean the machines

Question 26

How is knowledge a problem in the ultrasound department?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Why has the automated HLD become the next solution in many hospitals/clinics?

Answer 27

For reasons of patient safety and staff compliance

Question 28

What widely varies among sonographers, even at the same institution?

Answer 28

The soaking practices for manual disinfections

Question 29

How long can manual reprocessing take?

Answer 29

20 minutes to complete