Infection Transmission Associated With Contaminated Ultrasound Probes: A Systematic Review

A systematic review of seven studies on infections related to contaminated ultrasound probes showed that the infections were related to a failure in the decontamination process of ultrasound devices used on immature skin of neonates in an intensive care unit and transesophageal echocardiography probes. Six of the studies involved outbreaks in patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography either during or after surgery or as a part of treatment for a nonsurgical cardiac condition. The evidence shows links between the infection outbreaks and environmental contamination, lack of standardized ultrasound probe disinfection processes, inadequate storage, and lack of monitoring of probe integrity. When personnel addressed the deficiencies (eg, improving the disinfection process, cleaning the probes immediately after use, inspecting the probes for defects), the infections ceased. Personnel involved with the reprocessing of ultrasound probes should clean, disinfect, inspect, and store ultrasound probes in a manner that maintains device integrity and prevents contamination.