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Scheduled maintenance
The following maintenance schedule is suggested for the system and probes to ensure optimum operation and safety.
Daily
: Inspect the probes
After each use
: Clean and disinfect the probes.
As necessary
: Check, clean and disinfect the probes.
Returning/shipping the probes and replacement parts
Our transport department and our policy require that equipment returned for servicing must be CLEAN and free of
blood and other infectious substances.
When returning a probe or part for service, it must be cleaned and disinfected prior to packing and shipping.
The instructions in this manual for cleaning and disinfecting the probe must be followed.
This ensures that both transport company employees and those who take delivery of the package are sufficiently
protected against any risk.
AIUM outlines the cleaning of
endocavity
transducers as follows:
AIUM guidelines for cleaning and preparing endocavity ultrasound transducers between patients
Approved 4 June 2003
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance regarding the cleaning and disinfection of transvaginal and
transrectal ultrasound probes.
All sterilisation/disinfection represents a statistical reduction in the number of microbes present on a surface. Meticu-
lous cleaning of the instrument is the essential means for an initial reduction in the microbial/organic load by at least
99%. This cleaning is followed by a disinfection procedure to ensure a high degree of protection against transmission of
infectious diseases, even if a disposable barrier covers the instrument during use.
Medical instruments fall into different categories with respect to their potential for transmitting infections. The most criti-
cal level of instruments are those that are intended to penetrate the skin or mucous membranes. These require sterili-
sation. Less critical instruments (often called "semi-critical" instruments) that simply come into contact with mucous
membranes, such as fibre-optic endoscopes, require high-level disinfection rather than sterilisation.
Although endocavity ultrasound probes might be classed as less critical instruments because they are routinely pro-
tected by disposable probe covers, leakage rates of 0.9% - 2% for condoms and 8%-81% for commercial probe covers
have been observed in recent studies. For maximum safety, the probe should therefore undergo
high-grade disinfec-
tion
between each use, and a probe sheath or condom should be used as an aid for keeping the probe clean.
There are four generally recognised categories of disinfection and sterilisation.
Sterilisation
is the complete elim-
ination of all forms or microbial life including spores and viruses.
Disinfection
is the selective removal of microbial life, and is divided into three classes:
High-grade disinfection
is the destruction/removal of all microorganisms except bacterial spores.
Mid-grade disinfection
is the inactivation of mycobacterium tuberculosis, bacteria, most viruses, fungi, and some bac-
terial spores.
Low-grade disinfection
is the destruction of most bacteria, some viruses and fungi. Low-grade disinfection will not
necessarily inactivate mycobacterium tuberculosis or bacterial spores.