Watch on Demand - Nanosonics Symposium
Challenges of Infection Control in Ultrasound
Symposium Overview
The rapid expansion of ultrasound has brought great benefit to patients, however, there are some patient safety challenges to navigate. This session will review some of the recent literature on ultrasound procedure related outbreaks, and will review the Spaulding classification system, a framework used to determine medical device reprocessing requirements based on the patient contact site.
The spectrum of ultrasound procedures from surface ultrasound, endocavitary scans and ultrasound guided invasive procedures will be explored. Procedural variety, end-users and factors influencing the probe’s Spaulding classification will be discussed as considerations for facilities when developing ultrasound policy. Traceability is essential for the reprocessing and use of semi-critical and critical ultrasound probes, and the regulatory requirements will be reviewed as part of managing the expansion of ultrasound throughout healthcare. By implementing this knowledge and information, infections can be prevented protecting patients and sonographers.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the challenges associated with infection prevention guidelines, including applying the Spaulding classification to ultrasound probes
- Review recent research documenting patient outbreaks and infection risks in the spectrum of ultrasound procedures
- Identify regulatory requirements for the traceability of semi-critical and critical ultrasound probes
- Describe practical implementation options for traceability of ultrasound probes
Robert Garcia BS, MT (ASCP, ASM), FAPIC, CIC
Robert Garcia is a Sr. Infection Preventionist of the Healthcare Epidemiology Department, Stony Brook University Medical Center, New York. Robert has Board Certification in Infection Control and was selected as a Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology (APIC) in 2016, a designation for experienced infection preventionists who have made significant contributions to the field. Practicing for 36 years, Robert has lectured internationally at APIC, SHEA, ADA, INS, and IPS conferences. Robert has won numerous awards and authored many scientific publications on hospital acquired infection prevention, infection prevention history, sterilization, pathogenesis of infection, and medical microbiology including C. Difficile, CRE, and pathogenic viruses.
Rose Seavey MBA, BS, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CSPDT
Rose Seavey is President/CEO of Seavey Healthcare Consulting and formerly the Director of the Sterile Processing Department at The Children’s Hospital of Denver. Rose served on the AORN Board of Directors and is a past President ASHCSP. She received numerous awards such as AORN’s award for Mentorship and Outstanding Achievement in Nurse Education. In addition, she was given the IAHCSMM award of Honor. Rose was named as one of the Who’s Who in Infection Prevention by Infection Control Today. Ms. Seavey is the author of the book tilted Sterile Processing In Healthcare Facilities: Preparing for Accreditation Surveys, published by AAMI, now in its third edition. She serves on several AAMI committees helping to write our national standards.