Re: Ultrasound transducers covers

[Glenys Harrington]

Hi All,

Adding to the discussion on transducer covers the current guidelines should
be less open ended and read “use a single-use high-quality transducer cover
that has been validated for use by the manufacturer of the transducer/s”.

It is important to ensure that bacterial efficacy, fit and barrier integrity
information can be provided by the manufacturer of such covers.

If condoms are used the manufacturer (condoms) should also provide
information confirming that the condoms are suitable for use on medical
devices such as transducers.

This will ensure your warranty is not voided and that there is no off-label
use.

Regards

Glenys

Glenys Harrington

Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)

P.O. Box 6385

Melbourne

Australia, 3004

M: +61 404816434

E: infexion@ozemail.com.au

Of Cathryn Murphy

Hi Cate

This is an interesting issue. Whilst the guidelines say exactly what you
have reproduced below I think the emphasis should be on single-use
high-quality transducer cover rather than using a condom. My reasoning is
based on two things. Firstly, to minimise risk I think it is best to use
equipment specifically manufactured for a specific purpose ie. use a
transducer cover that is purpose manufactured vs a condom which is
manufactured for contraceptive purposes not infection control although there
are obvious IC benefits and one could argue either side.

Secondly, the issue of U/S reprocessing was on the agenda at the recent APIC
meeting in Portland and it seems that US ICPs are moving much more towards
improved higher-levelled reprocessing than was previously performed. This
has come about by greater appreciation for the potential risk of
transmission of conditions such as HPV and also the availability of
relatively inexpensive quality systems of reprocessing that are suitable for
US probes.

As a fall-back position perhaps the manufacturer of the US transducer could
recommend a cover that they know through testing works well with their
probe. It’s an interesting position that ASUM has adopted regarding condom
use and I wonder what evidence they used to support it.

Hope this helps

Cath

Cathryn Murphy RN B. Photog MPH PhD CIC

Chief Executive Officer & Creative Director

Infection Control Plus Pty Ltd

QLD, Australia

E:
Cath@infectioncontrolplus.com.au

M: +61 428 154154

W:
http://www.infectioncontrolplus.com.au

mailto:AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU] On Behalf Of Cate Coffey

Hi everyone,

Seeking advice on ultrasound transducer covers. The Guidelines for
Reprocessing Ultrasound Transducers regarding transducer/probe covers state
All intracavity transducers should be covered with a single-use high-quality
transducer cover. This may include some , but not all brands of condom,
specific transducer covers or surgical drapes.

Can you tell me how I determine which brands of condoms are suitable? Is
there a criteria to assist?

thanks

Cate Coffey | Clinical Nurse Consultant

Infection Prevention and Control Unit | Central Australia Health Service

Northern Territory Government

Alice Springs Hopsital, Gap Rd, Alice Springs

GPO Box 2234, Suburb, NT Postcode

p … 08 89517737

e … cate.coffey@nt.gov.au
http://www.nt.gov.au/health

Our Vision: Better health outcomes for all Central Australians

Our Values: Community at the Centre | Equity and Integrity | We are
Accountable | We are Relevant Today and Ready for Tomorrow | We are
Committed to High Quality Care | We Value our Partnerships

Central Australia Health Service is a Smoke Free Workplace

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MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO
NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is
discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products
or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives –
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the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

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[Silvana Harding]

Hi all,

I can confirm that Ansell condoms do not have an indication for transducer use and so cannot can supply a resource to support this use. We can however, provide a static condom viral penetration test consisting of a bacteriophage (A type of virus which infects bacteria as its host. It is also often refer to as phage). This can be supplied upon request.

Any condom use for the aforementioned practice would need to be based on own policy or clinical best judgement.

Kind regards,

Silvana

Silvana Harding RN
Clinical Consultant ANZ Medical

Ansell
Level 3/678 Victoria Street
Richmond VIC 3121
Australia

http://www.ansell.com

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Hi All,

Adding to the discussion on transducer covers the current guidelines should be less open ended and read “use a single-use high-quality transducer cover that has been validated for use by the manufacturer of the transducer/s”.

It is important to ensure that bacterial efficacy, fit and barrier integrity information can be provided by the manufacturer of such covers.

If condoms are used the manufacturer (condoms) should also provide information confirming that the condoms are suitable for use on medical devices such as transducers.

This will ensure your warranty is not voided and that there is no off-label use.

Regards

Glenys

Glenys Harrington
Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)
P.O. Box 6385
Melbourne
Australia, 3004
M: +61 404816434
E: infexion@ozemail.com.au

Hi Cate

This is an interesting issue. Whilst the guidelines say exactly what you have reproduced below I think the emphasis should be on single-use high-quality transducer cover rather than using a condom. My reasoning is based on two things. Firstly, to minimise risk I think it is best to use equipment specifically manufactured for a specific purpose ie. use a transducer cover that is purpose manufactured vs a condom which is manufactured for contraceptive purposes not infection control although there are obvious IC benefits and one could argue either side.

Secondly, the issue of U/S reprocessing was on the agenda at the recent APIC meeting in Portland and it seems that US ICPs are moving much more towards improved higher-levelled reprocessing than was previously performed. This has come about by greater appreciation for the potential risk of transmission of conditions such as HPV and also the availability of relatively inexpensive quality systems of reprocessing that are suitable for US probes.

As a fall-back position perhaps the manufacturer of the US transducer could recommend a cover that they know through testing works well with their probe. It’s an interesting position that ASUM has adopted regarding condom use and I wonder what evidence they used to support it.

Hope this helps
Cath

Cathryn Murphy RN B. Photog MPH PhD CIC
Chief Executive Officer & Creative Director
Infection Control Plus Pty Ltd
QLD, Australia

E: Cath@infectioncontrolplus.com.au
M: +61 428 154154
W:http://www.infectioncontrolplus.com.au

Hi everyone,
Seeking advice on ultrasound transducer covers. The Guidelines for Reprocessing Ultrasound Transducers regarding transducer/probe covers state All intracavity transducers should be covered with a single-use high-quality transducer cover. This may include some , but not all brands of condom, specific transducer covers or surgical drapes.
Can you tell me how I determine which brands of condoms are suitable? Is there a criteria to assist?
thanks

Cate Coffey | Clinical Nurse Consultant
Infection Prevention and Control Unit | Central Australia Health Service
Northern Territory Government
Alice Springs Hopsital, Gap Rd, Alice Springs
GPO Box 2234, Suburb, NT Postcode
p … 08 89517737
e … cate.coffey@nt.gov.au http://www.nt.gov.au/health

Our Vision: Better health outcomes for all Central Australians
Our Values: Community at the Centre | Equity and Integrity | We are Accountable | We are Relevant Today and Ready for Tomorrow | We are Committed to High Quality Care | We Value our Partnerships

Central Australia Health Service is a Smoke Free Workplace

The information in this e-mail is intended solely for the addressee named. It may contain legally privileged or confidential information that is subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose copy or distribute this communication. If you have received this message in error, please delete the e-mail and notify the sender. No representation is made that this e-mail is free of viruses. Virus scanning is recommended and is the responsibility of the recipient.

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.

You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.

You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.

You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au

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