In a message dated 9/14/99 3:01:32 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

>
>  I am looking at my departments practice regarding the cleaning/
> disinfection of
>  scanhead, cable, and instrument between patients.   I feel that there is
>  potential for cross contamination between patients and wondered what is the
>  standard in the industry.   We do not routinely disinfect the scanhead
> between
>  patients.  For carotid duplex the probe is not cleaned with a disinfectant
>  routinely,  for venous duplex the scanhead is cleaned more often but not
>  between each patient.  The scanhead is always disinfected whenever it
comes
> in
>  contact with body fluids or blood.
>  Currently I use a product manufactured by Professional Dosposables Incorp.
>  (PDI)  www.pdipdi.com ,  the product is called Sani-Cloth germicidal wipes.
>  These are easy to use and are effective in disinfecting according to the
>  product information.
>  Our staff recently decided that disinfecting the scanhead, cable, trackball
>  etc. be done after each case.  Is there any universal standards.  Your
>  comments are appreciated.  Post a note or write to me directly.  Thanks.
>            Jerry McGonnell, RVT
>            Mercy Medical Center
>            Canton, OH
>
Hi Jerry,

The AIUM has published recomendations. www.aium.org <A
HREF="http://www.aium.org/">AIUM Home Page</A>  Go to the Official Statements
and Reports. If you are seriously wanting to prevent cross contamination then
you might want to consider what they do at Duke University Medical Center.
They use "baggies", yes those things you put sandwiches in, and elastic
bands. They are going latex free so don't use rubber bands. You put gel on
the transducer, the baggie on the transducer then an elastic to hold the
baggie on. It works GREAT. It did take some getting used to doing it every
patient but after a few days you can't remember not doing it. This prevents
cross contamination. Then you can use a spray or wipe for the transducer part
that is handled and the cable.

Hope this helps,

Audrey Fleming, RDMS