121
4.
USE OF ASEPTIC TECHNIQUES
For the protection of the patient and the health care worker, for all endocavitary examinations, the operator should wear
proper gloves throughout the entire procedure. Gloves should be worn to remove the condom or other barrier from the
transducer and to wash the transducer as outlined above. When the barrier (condom) is removed, care should be taken
not to contaminate the probe with secretions from the patient. After the procedure is complete, hands should be thor-
oughly washed with soap and water.
NOTE:
Obvious disturbance to the integrity of the condom does NOT require any modification of this protocol. These
guidelines take into account possible probe contamination due to a disturbance to the barrier sheath.
In summary, routine high-grade disinfection of the endocavitary probe is necessary between uses for individual
patients, and in addition, the probe must be covered with a condom during each examination to protect patients
against infections during endocavitary examinations. For all chemical disinfectants, precautions must be taken
to protect workers and patients from the toxicity of the disinfectant.
Amis S, M Ruddy, Kibbler CC, SonidoSmartnomides DL, MacLean AB. Evaluation of condoms as probe sheaths for
transvaginal sonography. J Clin Ultrasound 2000;28:295-8.
Rooks VJ, Yancey MK, Elg SA, Brueske L. Comparison of probe sheaths for endovaginal sonography. Obstetrics
GynSonidoSmartl 1996; 87: 27-9.
Milki AA, Fisch JD. Vaginal ultrasound probe cover leakage: Implications for patient care. Fertil Steril 1998 69:409-11.
Hignett M, P. Claman High rates of perforation were found in endovaginal ultrasound probe covers before
and after oocyte retrieval during embryo transfer for in vitro fertilisation. J Assist Reprod Genet 1995;12:606-
9.
Sterilisation and disinfection of medical equipment: General principles. Centers for Disease Control, Division of
Healthcare Quality Promotion. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/sterile/sterilgp.htm (5-2003).
ODE Device Evaluation Data – FDA-Cleared Sterilants and High Level Disinfectants with General Claims for Processing
Reusable Medical and Dental Devices, March 2003. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ode/germlab.html (5-2003).
9.3
Probe operating instructions
For details on connecting, activating, deactivating, disconnecting, transporting and storing probes, please see section
3.7
“Probes”
in Chapter 3.
9.3.1
Scanning the patient
In order to assure optimal transmission of energy between the patient and probe, a conductive gel must be applied
liberally to the patient on the part of the body where scanning will be performed.
After the examination is complete, follow the cleaning and disinfection or sterilisation procedures as appropriate.