TOE probe BBV transmission risk in cardiac surgery procedures

[Michael Wishart]

Hi all

Has anyone been discussing the possible risk of BBV transmission via TOE probes used in cardiac surgery procedures? The attached report (and this website: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/863/news/22465 ) highlights this as a possible transmission route for Hepatitis B virus, and I am wondering whether this has been discussed in any other facilities, and if so, what steps have been taken to reduce risks? The biggest issue in all of this is that the current TOE probes we use cannot have the ‘handle’ or control component cleaned using water or any fluid (due to being not sealed), which leaves them open for contamination with secretions which are not readily removed during reprocessing if contaminated gloved hands touch them in a theatre environment. In cardiac cath labs, where traditionally TOE probes have mainly been used electively, the risk of contamination with blood specifically is probably much lower, but we are seeing a great increase in TOE probe use as a part of cardiac surgery procedures now.

Has anyone identified this as a n issue, and if so, developed any strategies to reduce the transmission risks? Ideally, we should only use TOE probes that can be adequately decontaminated between patients (including all touch components), but this does not seem to be a viable solution with our current manufacturer of TOE probes

Thanks for any discussion or thoughts on this.

Cheers
Michael

Michael Wishart
Infection Control Coordinator
Holy Spirit Northside Private Hospital
627 Rode Road, Chermside, Qld 4032
t: (07) 3326 3068 | f: (07) 3607 2226
e: Michael.Wishart@svha.org.au
w:www.holyspiritnorthside.org.au
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