The HLD of ultrasound probes are a vital part of a hospital’s decontamination process, essential for preventing hospital-acquired infections and ensuring patient safety.

Despite their importance, many hospitals continue to rely on manual, fragmented processes that disconnect clinical staff from their central sterilisation unit, creating opportunities for error and oversight.

Why do these outdated practices persist, and how can innovative technology, such as Athera FingerPrint, bridge the gap to enhance probe decontamination?

Understanding the Need for Probe Tracking

Ultrasound probes, while critical, pose a risk for cross-contamination if not properly disinfected. Inadequate cleaning can lead to hospital-acquired infections, creating numerous risks such as an increased number of incidents, claims and significant patient harm.

The Society of Radiographers emphasises best practice for probe decontamination, outlining the essential steps healthcare teams must follow to ensure safety and compliance. Their guidelines advocate for routine cleaning and high-level disinfection (HLD) of ultrasound probes, emphasising that all staff involved in the process must receive appropriate training. This training ensures that staff understand the importance of each step in the decontamination process and adhere to established processes.

Another key recommendation from the Society of Radiographers is to maintain thorough records of cleaning and sterilisation procedures. By integrating these best practices with advanced technologies like Athera FingerPrint, hospitals can enhance their decontamination workflows. This combination of systematic approaches and innovative solutions minimises the risk of infection, increases accountability, and ultimately improves patient outcomes.

How can improved sterilisation processes supported by technology help address these challenges?

1. Infection Control:
– Probes that come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin require thorough decontamination. NHS guidelines emphasise the need for HLD to prevent infections.

2. Accountability:
– Without proper tracking, it’s difficult to ensure accountability and governance. A robust tracking system ensures that every probe is accounted for at all times.

3. Traceability:
– Regulations mandate that healthcare facilities maintain records of all medical devices, including ultrasound probes. This includes documentation of cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance processes. Having this information in a track and trace solution helps enforce these processes.

Athera Fingerprint: A Solution for Improved Traceability Throughout Your Whole Hospital

Athera Fingerprint is designed to provide comprehensive traceability and inventory management. From ward to board, you’ll have complete oversight of any item used on a patient. You’ll ensure regulatory compliance, adhere to SOPs, minimise patient risk and reduce the financial impact of cancelled/delayed appointments and damaged or expired equipment.

How Athera Fingerprint Can Help Your Team

• Real-Time Tracking: Our solution tracks ultrasound probes throughout their lifecycle, from use to cleaning and storage.
• Automated Accountability: It automates the logging of sterilisation cycles, reducing the risk of human error.
• Integration with Existing Systems: Athera Fingerprint can be integrated into existing hospital management systems, helping your teams work together closer.

The Benefits

1. Enhanced Compliance
Hospitals can easily adhere to NHS guidelines, ensuring that probes are decontaminated according to established processes.

2. Operational Efficiency:
Reduces the administrative burden associated with manual tracking and documentation. This efficiency frees up your team to focus more on patient care.

3. Improved Data Accuracy:
Accurate tracking and reporting help hospitals manage resources better and improve decision-making processes.

4. Patient Safety:
By ensuring probes are properly sterilised and tracked, hospitals significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination and subsequent infections.

5. Cost-Effectiveness:
Reducing infection rates leads to lower costs associated with extended hospital stays and additional treatments.

NHS Guidelines on Ultrasound Probe Decontamination

The NHS provides comprehensive guidelines for the decontamination of ultrasound probes, emphasising the importance of HLD. Key points from the NHS policy include:

• Routine Cleaning: Probes must be cleaned after each use to remove any biological material.
• High-Level Disinfection: After cleaning, probes must undergo HLD using approved methods and agents.
• Documentation: Each step in the decontamination process must be documented to ensure traceability and compliance with health regulations.