Getting automated probe decontamination right is vital for patient safety and to protect equipment. Nanosonics outlines some key points to be aware of, to ensure the safe decontamination of ultrasound probes.
Decontamination and sterilisation are fundamental to safe ultrasound practice. Transvaginal and transrectal probes are classified as semi-critical devices because they come into contact with mucous membranes. As a result, they require high-level disinfection (HLD) between patients to minimise the risk of cross-infection.
The most recent guidance from the Society of Radiographers (SoR)1 and NHS Welsh HTM2 reinforces that automated systems provide a more consistent and auditable approach than manual methods for HLD.
Nanosonics’ Senior Medical Affairs Manager, Ellie Wishart, outlines key considerations for automated ultrasound transducer decontamination, drawing on guidance from the Society of Radiographers’ article “Things to consider with automated decontamination units” 1 by Gill Harrison, SoR Professional Officer for Ultrasound, published in November 2024.
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