Skin surface transducers — an underestimated risk of infection

As a growing field in the Australian healthcare market, ultrasound is also an area of growing concern in infection control. While the focus has often centred around intracavity transducers, skin surface transducers have recently come under scrutiny with surprising findings.

Ultrasound is a widely-utilised medical technology, seen in an increasing number of areas for a variety of purposes. Point of Care Ultrasound (or POCUS) is frequently used in a number of clinical areas, due to its accessibility and the impact it can have on clinical treatment and diagnosis. The sudden growth in this area has meant that — in many cases — facilities have not developed infection control practices to mirror ultrasound use.

While generally classed as a non-critical device, skin surface transducers are often visibly soiled, or contaminated with microorganisms. Even when used on intact skin, contamination from commensal organisms presents a clinical concern. When used on non-intact skin, this is a significant infection control risk.

The recent joint ACIPC and ASUM Guidelines for Disinfection of Ultrasound Transducers¹ highlight that use of skin surface transducers in many new and novel areas necessitates a higher level of disinfection. Musculoskeletal Procedures (MSK), needle guided biopsy, wound scanning, line insertion, anaesthetic blocks and areas proximal to mucosa or contacting bodily fluids are required to undergo varying degrees of disinfection — even with a transducer cover.

However, given the number of these procedures, conventional high-level disinfection practices may be impractical or time consuming. Conversely, cleaning is inadequate, and low-level disinfection only covers a limited range of microorganisms. Traceability is also often missed when performing these higher risk scans. As a result, medical staff completing ultrasound require an accessible, fast and easy-to-use product.

Tristel continues to be at the forefront of disinfection practices. The Tristel Trio Wipes System (Trio50) provides high-level disinfection for intracavity transducers and skin surface probes. Joining the family is Tristel Duo NCU (contact your local Tristel office for approval and availability). Tristel Duo NCU provides intermediate-level disinfection in 30 seconds, eliminating all microorganisms except bacterial endospores, and is ideal for skin surface probes. In addition to the ultrasound transducer, Tristel Duo NCU can also be used on other areas of concern including the transducer cord, stand, keyboard/control panel and monitor. It is the only disinfectant that treats all parts of an ultrasound unit the same.

Tristel’s new digital traceability platform ‘3T’ allows you to track and trace all disinfection events, providing a unique cycle validation code that is stored digitally. This ensures best practice, even in a fast-paced environment where staff are pressed for time.

Ultrasound is a growing field; infection control needs to grow with it. Now, you can achieve intermediate-level disinfection quickly and easily, and track disinfection events digitally for the highest level of surety.

Why use Tristel? Why use anything else?

1. ACIPC and ASUM (2017) ‘Guidelines for Reprocessing Ultrasound Transducers’, Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 30-40 [Online]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajum.12042