Study on bacterial contamination and effectiveness of UV light-based reprocessing of ultrasound probes

Background Sonography is a basic imaging procedure in otorhinolaryngology and is frequently used in everyday clinical practice. To avoid cross-infections, adequate disinfection of the ultrasound probes is highly relevant. However, there are usually no standardized and regulated technical procedures available. Therefore, reprocessing is often inadequate. The present study should investigate the benefits of UV-C light-based reprocessing of linear ultrasound probes.

Material and methods Bacterial contamination on the relevant parts of the ultrasound probe was analyzed after patients’ treatment, before and after reprocessing with UV-C light. Microbiological examinations were done 20 times in each case. The reprocessing process consisted of pre-cleaning with a dry wipe followed by UV-C light disinfection for 45 seconds with a prototype device (UV Smart Technologies, NL).

Results After use on the patient, all ultrasound probes showed a bacterial contamination, with an average of 68.1±56.4 colony-forming units (CFU). Six additional plates were completely bacterially overgrown (>300 CFU) and therefore no longer available for a quantitative analysis. After UV-C-based reprocessing, an average contamination of 2.6±3.3 CFU was found on the ultrasound probes, while 8 of 20 samples showed 0 CFU. On the ultrasonic probes with residual contamination, only bacteria of the skin flora were detectable after disinfection.

Conclusion The present work reveals a clinically relevant bacterial contamination on the surface of the ultrasound probes after use on the patient. Reprocessing by UV-C light seems to be a suitable, standardized method of disinfection here. In addition, there are relevant ecological and economic advantages compared to conventional methods.

UV-Smart Technologies B.V.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Mai 2023