Eligible for 1.0 contact hour | HSPA | CBSPD | RN |

External and endocavitary ultrasound probes are used throughout healthcare facilities for a wide variety of procedures. Inadequate training and lack of standardization of reprocessing and maintenance protocols leads to poor adherence to best practices and raises risk of patient harm. In this webinar, two epidemiologists will discuss the basics of ultrasound probe use and reprocessing, summarize common challenges and clinical risks, and recommend strategies for quality improvement. This discussion will include an overview of ultrasound probes, recommendations for use of gel and sheaths, and evidence of patient harm associated with improperly reprocessed or maintained probes. Insights from auditing experience, guidelines, published literature, and government databases will be presented to empower frontline personnel to improve practices in their healthcare facility.

Objectives

By the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss clinical risks associated with contaminated or damaged ultrasound probes
2. Summarize guidelines for ultrasound probe reprocessing and quality assurance
3. Explain how sheaths and gel contribute to probe contamination and infection risk
4. Outline strategies for reducing risks associated with the use of ultrasound probes

Content outline

1. Observations from the field
2. Basics on ultrasound probes
3. Guidelines for ultrasound probe use and reprocessing
4. Clinical risks and real-world challenges
5. Strategies for assessing and improving practices
6. Sponsor acknowledgement (Supported by an educational grant from Healthmark)