ECO 3 EXPERT Ultrasound Diagnostic System
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fungi, and some bacterial spores.
Low-Level Disinfection - Destruction of most bacteria, some viruses and some fungi. Low-level
disinfection will not necessarily inactivate Mycobacterium Tuberculosis or bacterial spores.
9.2.4.5 Aspetic Tchnique
For the protection of the patient and the health care worker, all endocavitary examinations should
be performed with the operator properly gloved throughout the procedure. Gloves should be used
to remove the condom or other barrier from the transducer and to wash the transducer as outlined
above. As the barrier (condom) is removed, care should be taken not to contaminate the probe
with secretions from the patient. At the completion of the procedure, hands should be thoroughly
washed with soap and water.
NOTE: Obvious disruption in condom integrity does NOT require modification of this
protocol. These guidelines take into account possible probe contamination due to a disruption in
the barrier sheath.
In summary, routine high-level disinfection of the endocavitary probe between patients, plus the
use of a probe cover or condom during each examination is required to properly protect patients
from infection during endocavitary examinations. For all chemical disinfectants, precautions must
be taken to protect workers and patients from the toxicity of the disinfectant.
Amis S, Ruddy M, Kibbler CC, Economides DL, MacLean AB. Assessment of condoms as probe
covers 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. Obstet. Gynecol 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, Claman P. High rates of perforation are found in endovaginal ultrasound probe covers
before and after oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. J Assist Reprod Genet
1995;12:606-9.
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