AIUM – Quick Guide on COVID-19 Protections — Ultrasound Transducers, Equipment, and Gel
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM)
Level of disinfection: For external and interventional procedures low-level disinfection is effective per CDC guidelines.(1) Currently, EPA approved disinfectants for use against COVID-19 (SARS-CoV- 2) can be found online.(2) If LLD agents are depleted soap and water should be used per CDC guidelines. If indicated but no transducer covers are available, medical gloves or other physical barriers (e.g. compatible medical dressings) should be used.
Education and execution: Dissemination of cleaning guidelines is essential and so is their proper execution. (10)
Equipment: Cleaning involves all ancillary equipment involved in the procedure at hand. A cover sheet may be used as a physical barrier between the keyboard/console and the operator, in addition to LLD cleaning. If possible, use a dedicated system (scanner and transducers) for COVID-19, positive or suspected, patients. COVID-19 is viable on plastic surfaces for up to 72 hours (25)
Special attention needs to be paid to COVID-19 and other respiratory infection cases requiring aerosolization procedures, i.e. mechanical ventilation, aerosolization application, etc. Here a transducer cover should be used and the entire equipment requires full LLD (top to bottom) as pathogens are likely to become airborne.
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