Hospital‐Wide Survey of Bacterial Contamination of Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound Probes and Coupling Gel

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine 2014-03, Vol.33 (3), p.457-462
• Main Authors: Lawrence, Matthew W., Blanks, James, Ayala, Ruben, Talk, Douglas, Macian, Diana, Glasser, Jessie, Schofer, Joel M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria - isolation & purification; bacterial; contamination; Drug Contamination - statistics & numerical data; Equipment Contamination - statistics & numerical data; Equipment Safety - statistics & numerical data; gel; Gels; Health Care Surveys; Hospitals - statistics & numerical data; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Point-of-Care Systems - statistics & numerical data; point-of-care ultrasound; Transducers - microbiology; Ultrasonography - instrumentation; ultrasound; Virginia
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.7863/ultra.33.3.457

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the hospital‐wide incidence of bacterial contamination of point‐of‐care (bedside) ultrasound probes and coupling gel at a single academic medical center to predict the risk of nosocomial spread of infection. Methods Bacterial cultures were performed on all point‐of‐care ultrasound probe surfaces and associated gel bottles in our institution (82 total probes in 9 separate departments). This process was repeated every 2 weeks for a total of 8 weeks; therefore, each probe was cultured 4 times during the study period. Results Of the 320 probe cultures, 18 (5.6%), resulted in positive growth, all of which identified nonpathogenic organisms common to human skin flora and the environment. No methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus or other notable pathogens were identified. No gel cultures resulted in bacterial growth. Conclusions Bacterial contamination of point‐of‐care ultrasound probes and coupling gel is low at this single academic medical center and involves nonpathogenic organisms only.