Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ibis Rebeca Martinez on January 13, 2010 at 1:45pm

We are an accredited facility, and struggled with the same issues as your office, each time we need to re-accredit our practice, first of all you must follow your manufacturers recommemdation for high level disinfectants for vaginal probes, and also the AIUM has a statement posted that explains exactly what they will accept, you can ask for an updated copy from them. Last time I checked they did not accept the wipes as a method. We do not have a ventilator, and you do not needed if the probes are placed in a well ventilated area and or open space.Good luck

Permalink Reply by Paula Woletz on January 13, 2010 at 1:49pm

According to the Centers for Disease Control, all endocavitary transducers, even when covered by a probe cover or condom, must undergo high level disinfection after every use. The list of FDA-approved sterilants and high level disinfectants is available at hhttp://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/ReprocessingofSingle-UseDevices/ucm133514. The right-hand column lists the conditions needed to achieve high level disinfection. You'll note that there are NO disinfectant wipes that reach high level disinfection.
Not all the listed products and conditions (especially temperatures) are safe for ultrasound transducers, so it's important to check with the probe manufacturers before making a purchase.
I hope this helps!
Paula

Permalink Reply by Sara Davis on January 13, 2010 at 2:44pm

Paula-
Thank you for your speedy response. That definitely helps. My next question is in regards to ventilation. I know that if we use glutaraldehyde we will need a ventilation system. What if we use an agent without glutaraldehyde? Are ventilators necessary? (ie Cidex)
Thank you!

Paula Woletz said:

According to the Centers for Disease Control, all endocavitary transducers, even when covered by a probe cover or condom, must undergo high level disinfection after every use. The list of FDA-approved sterilants and high level disinfectants is available at hhttp://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/ReprocessingofSingle-UseDevices/ucm133514. The right-hand column lists the conditions needed to achieve high level disinfection. You'll note that there are NO disinfectant wipes that reach high level disinfection.
Not all the listed products and conditions (especially temperatures) are safe for ultrasound transducers, so it's important to check with the probe manufacturers before making a purchase. I hope this helps! Paula

Permalink Reply by Sara Davis on January 13, 2010 at 2:54pm

Thank you very much! That definitely helps. Do you use Cidex?

Ibis Rebeca Martinez said:

We are an accredited facility, and struggled with the same issues as your office, each time we need to re-accredit our practice, first of all you must follow your manufacturers recommemdation for high level disinfectants for vaginal probes, and also the AIUM has a statement posted that explains exactly what they will accept, you can ask for an updated copy from them. Last time I checked they did not accept the wipes as a method. We do not have a ventilator, and you do not needed if the probes are placed in a well ventilated area and or open space.Good luck

Permalink Reply by Ibis Rebeca Martinez on January 13, 2010 at 4:37pm

We use Metricide Opa Plus

Permalink Reply by Deborah L. Richert BSVT RDMS RVT on January 15, 2010 at 11:38am

We use Cidex OPA to soak our endovaginal transducers, and we also have a GUS ventilation unit for this attached to the wall in the ultrasound room adjacent to the IVF lab.

Permalink Reply by Debbie McGee on March 17, 2010 at 11:14am

Paula,
Our institution has begun requiring a more intensive recording of the vaginal probe high level disinfection. The following procedure is now in place:
1. Test strip the Cidex OPA prior to each probe soak rather than once a day
2. Check the temperature of the Cidex OPA prior to each probe soak
3. Log contains the patient name, date, time in and out of Cidex (the patient name is a new addition to the log)
4. QC the test strips 3 times with each change in lot number, once if the new bottle is of the same lot number as the previous bottle.
5. Three once minute soaks in clean water rather than under running water

I would like to confirm that this is the appropriate protocol for endovaginal probe high level disinfection.
Thank for any feedback you can provide.

Paula Woletz said:

According to the Centers for Disease Control, all endocavitary transducers, even when covered by a probe cover or condom, must undergo high level disinfection after every use. The list of FDA-approved sterilants and high level disinfectants is available at hhttp://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/ReprocessingofSingle-UseDevices/ucm133514. The right-hand column lists the conditions needed to achieve high level disinfection. You'll note that there are NO disinfectant wipes that reach high level disinfection.
Not all the listed products and conditions (especially temperatures) are safe for ultrasound transducers, so it's important to check with the probe manufacturers before making a purchase.
I hope this helps!
Paula

Permalink Reply by Syed Amir Gilani on May 20, 2010 at 7:06pm

VERY DIFFICULT--TO GET RIDE OF VIRUSES---Better to start thinking about disposable endocavitary transducers.

Paula Woletz said:

According to the Centers for Disease Control, all endocavitary transducers, even when covered by a probe cover or condom, must undergo high level disinfection after every use. The list of FDA-approved sterilants and high level disinfectants is available at hhttp://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/ReprocessingofSingle-UseDevices/ucm133514. The right-hand column lists the conditions needed to achieve high level disinfection. You'll note that there are NO disinfectant wipes that reach high level disinfection.
Not all the listed products and conditions (especially temperatures) are safe for ultrasound transducers, so it's important to check with the probe manufacturers before making a purchase.
I hope this helps!
Paula