Microbial contamination of ultrasonic probes

摘要

The microbiological investigation of a series of abdominal ultrasonic probes after contact with intact skin showed a varying germ contamination with no continuously increasing number of CFU during the course of the day. Therefore we suspected that the sole wiping without disinfection of the probe is effective due to physical effects. The 2nd investigative series revealed that a double proper wiping procedure with a disposable cloth can eliminate most of the germs on probes. We conclude that a routine disinfection of the ultrasonic probe with contact to intact skin is not necessary after each patient. We therefore propose a routine disinfection once a day, in addition disinfection after obvious contamination of the probe or after use with an infectious patient.