Effect of different disinfection methods on the disinfection of medical ultrasound probes

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the bacterial contamination of medical ultrasound probes in a hospital, explore the disinfection effect of different disinfection methods on ultrasound probes, and provide reference for cleaning and disinfection of medical ultrasound probes. Methods 274 specimens of common ultrasound probes and gynecolo-gical transvaginal ultrasound probes in a tertiary first-class hospital were taken and grouped according to different sampling time, common ultrasound probes were taken specimens before and after wiping with common tissue paper as well as after disinfection following touching patients; transvaginal ultrasound probes were taken specimens after removal of disposable protective sheath and after disinfection following mucosa-touching examination for patients. According to different disinfection methods, two groups were also divided:group A was disinfection wet wipes group (compound double-chain quaternary ammonium salt disinfection wet wipes), group B was ultrasound probe sterilizer group, the total number of bacteria was calculated and identified respectively. Results A total of 174 specimens of common ultrasound probes were taken, the average bacterial colonies before and after wiping with common tissue paper, as well as after disinfection following touching patients were 1.61×10⁴, 1.57×10³, and 2.41 CFU/piece respectively, there was significant difference in the average bacterial colonies at three different sampling times (P<0.05); a total of 100 gynecological transvaginal ultrasound probe specimens were taken, the average bacterial colonies of probes after removing disposable protective sheath and after disinfection following touching patients' mucosa were 13.20 and 0.24 CFU/piece respectively, there was significant difference in the average colonies between two sampling times (P<0.05). After probes were disinfected by disinfection wet wipes and ultrasound probe sterilizer, the average bacterial colonies of common ultrasound probes were 5 and 0 CFU/piece respectively, transvaginal ultrasound probes were 0.40 and 0 CFU/piece respectively, there were no significant difference between two disinfection methods (both P>0.05); no pathogen was detected after ultrasound probes were disinfected. Conclusion Both double-chain compound quaternary ammonium salt disinfection wet wipes and ultrasound probe sterilizer have good disinfection effect on ultrasound probes, which can be recommended for use in ultrasound diagnosis and treatment department.