In a world first, infection control company Tristel Solutions has launched a system designed specifically for the decontamination of both non-invasive and invasive ultrasound equipment
Utilising several different chemistries, including Tristel's patented chlorine dioxide technology, the new Tristel Ultra system provides a complete response to the risks of cross-contamination for all equipment used in ultrasound procedures.
This includes non-invasive probes, probe holders and keyboards; transrectal and transvaginal probes and accessories.
The Tristel Ultra system comprises a number of different products - wipes, foams and solutions - the combination of which is configured according to the specific decontamination task.
The system is based on the following chemistries: a highly effective enzymatic cleaning system used in the pre-clean wipe; a polymeric biguanide - a safe effective microbiocide - for non-invasive equipment; and chlorine dioxide for Tristel Ultra-Duo foam, Tristel Ultra-Sporicidal Wipes and Tristel Ultra-Fusion solutions (for use where immersion is the preferred method of decontamination).
Infection control risks in ultrasound are now widely recognised.
The authors of a recent study, 'An investigation of the microbiological contamination of ultrasound equipment' published in the August 2006 issue of the British Journal of Infection Control, commented that: "The results reveal that ultrasound equipment was often significantly contaminated and therefore a potential vehicle for the spread of infection.
"The most significant results were recovered from the non-invasive equipment, which had the highest levels of clinically significant contamination.
The Tristel Ultra System provides infection control and radiology teams with a comprehensive means of addressing these infection control challenges.
