TOE Probe Complete Care: have you been damaging your TOE probe?

A thorough understanding of the TOE ultrasound probe and how it should be reprocessed is critical. This knowledge will lead to minimised TOE ultrasound probe damage, improved patient outcomes and allow for proper reprocessing to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The overall length of the TOE ultrasound probe and the fragile nature of the transducer leave the device susceptible to damage, which poses a challenge for healthcare professionals. Care to minimise excessive handling and contact shock to the distal tip should be taken when manipulating the components during all facets of reprocessing. To properly reprocess a TOE probe, the technician should be aware of the delicate nature of the various parts. The critical difference between a colonoscopy or a gastroscope and a TOE probe is that it can’t be completely submerged into the rinse and high-level disinfectant baths. The TOE probe is not watertight, and the complete submersion of the probe could cause severe damage and result in the inoperability of the TOE probe.

The TOE Complete Care has 10 easy steps to effectively reprocess a TOE ultrasound probe:

Step # 1 — Point of Use Cleaning (TEEZyme Enzymatic Sponge)

Step # 2 —TOE Probe Transportation Case (TPorter Transportation Case — soiled probe)

Step # 3 — Enzymatic Cleaning (Medizime LF Enzymatic Cleaner)

Step # 4 — Rinse and Dry Probe (QwikDry TOE Probe Drying Cloth)

Step # 5 — Electrical Leak Testing (Ultrasound Leakage Tester)

Step # 6 — High-Level Disinfection (TD100 CE Automated TOE Probe Disinfector)

Step # 7 — Rinsing After High-Level Disinfection (Nephros Water Filter)

Step # 8 — Probe Drying (QwikDry TOE Probe Drying Cloth)

Step # 9 — HEPA Filtered Probe Storage (CleanShield TOE Probe Storage Cabinet)

Step # 10 — TOE Probe Transportation Case (TPorter Transportation Case - clean probe)

Following a successful disinfection cycle, the TD 100CE provides a printed verification record. The print out contains disinfectant contact time, average disinfectant temperature, probe and operator ID, disinfectant lot number and time and date. Proper training of reprocessing staff further ensures that the correct handling of delicate TOE probes is maintained. Complete Care offers an online training program available to all staff using the TD 100CE and allows managers to monitor this training, further ensuring compliance with healthcare facilities’ training compliance.

Proper storage of disinfected TOE probes is essential to maintain their level of cleanliness, before their next use, as well as to protect the probe from possible damage caused by incorrectly hanging the device. The CleanShield Probe Storage Cabinet is an integral part of the Complete Care suite of products. The cabinet is designed with hanging crescents and shelves to allow for easy and secure placement of the disinfected TOE probe. The TOE probe is allowed to hang freely inside the TOE probe storage cabinet while the probe headset and cable are held in secure positions. Once the TOE probe has been safely placed inside the storage cabinet, the door can be closed and locked for added security.

The TOE Complete Care is a start-to-finish reprocessing process, equipped with all accessories needed to assure high-level disinfection with reliable print verification and training for staff. The Complete Care process improves quality, reduces variations in the disinfection process, controls costs and reduces the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices and suppliers.

For more information: https://www.td100.com.au/completecareproducts.