Three tips to avoid costly ultrasound probe damage
January 21, 2015
By Chris Wright
The life expectancy of today's sophisticated ultrasound probes is literally "in the hands" of the sonographers and echocardiographers who use them every day in the course of providing patient care. Given that upwards of 70 percent of all ultrasound service calls are probe related, it pays to consider ways preventable probe damage can be reduced in order to minimize patient risks.
After spending 18 years in clinical care and still a registered technologist, I understand the daily demands of probe technology and how easily the delicate equipment can be damaged. From my experience as a technician and now leading a company that specializes in probe repair, here are the most common ways ultrasound probes are damaged and tips on how it can be avoided:
1. Proper disinfecting. Although disinfecting the probe after every use is paramount, each manufacturer has a specific set of guidelines for proper cleaning. In the case of probes, over-disinfecting is not better than just disinfecting.
Some technicians may leave the probe in solution too long while others may use the wrong disinfectant solution or even under-disinfect the probe over time. When it comes to disinfecting a probe, always refer to the OEM's instructions and follow them thoroughly. Failure to do so can cause damage to the array and affect the quality of the image.
2. Regular physical inspections. Nicks, holes, cracks, or worn corners allow fluids, such as gel, disinfectants, or even body fluids, to infiltrate the probe. When fluid comes in contact with internal electrical and mechanical assemblies it results in short circuiting PCB boards, causes corrosion, and damages crystal arrays.
Fluid infiltration remains a high driver that destroys probes, often from within. These cracks and holes also allow the potential for cross-contamination too, putting your patients and your facility at risk.
When it comes to TEE probes, insertion tubes can easily be crushed or damaged by teeth, referred to as having bite marks. The best way to prevent damage to the insertion tube is to use bite guards. A $2 bite guard can often prevent an $8,000 repair or a $28,000 replacement.
But those figures pale in comparison to the patient risks and potential facility liability issues involved when probe defects go undetected or are ignored and the probes are kept in patient service.
3. Proper storage. Ultrasound equipment is mobile and can be moved from room to room for exams. If the probes are not properly stored after each use they can be easily dropped from the cart causing significant damage.
Damage to the tip or lens of the probe can cause defective crystals in the array and affect the quality of the image with potential of risk in interpretation. In addition, many times dangling cables have a risk of being run over in transit causing small tears or even worse broken cable wires.
Be sure the probe and all cables are secured and stored properly to avoid damage that can cause costly repair or replacement.
Studies have shown about one out of every four probes has some type of physical defect or performance problem needing to be resolved. (Weigang, Moore, Gessert, Phillips, & Schafer, 2004) Many of those defects can be avoided with proper handling, care and preventive maintenance of the probe.
The best way to avoid common probe damage is visually inspecting probes regularly. Note any physical defects, such as cracks in the probe case, nicks, holes or worn corners in the lens membrane, cuts or tears in the probe cable or strain relief, and bent or missing pins in the connector. These conditions are usually repairable, but if left unattended they all lead to probe failure.
Be sure to have a proactive probe management plan in place and perform regular training of technicians on proper maintenance and care.
About the author: Chris Wright is executive director of Axess Ultrasound. Axess Ultrasound provides ultrasound service, probe and system repair, technician training and parts for almost 1,000 hospitals and health care facilities around the world. Wright has almost 30 years of health care experience, specializing in ultrasound.
The life expectancy of today's sophisticated ultrasound probes is literally "in the hands" of the sonographers and echocardiographers who use them every day in the course of providing patient care. Given that upwards of 70 percent of all ultrasound service calls are probe related, it pays to consider ways preventable probe damage can be reduced in order to minimize patient risks.
After spending 18 years in clinical care and still a registered technologist, I understand the daily demands of probe technology and how easily the delicate equipment can be damaged. From my experience as a technician and now leading a company that specializes in probe repair, here are the most common ways ultrasound probes are damaged and tips on how it can be avoided:
1. Proper disinfecting. Although disinfecting the probe after every use is paramount, each manufacturer has a specific set of guidelines for proper cleaning. In the case of probes, over-disinfecting is not better than just disinfecting.
Some technicians may leave the probe in solution too long while others may use the wrong disinfectant solution or even under-disinfect the probe over time. When it comes to disinfecting a probe, always refer to the OEM's instructions and follow them thoroughly. Failure to do so can cause damage to the array and affect the quality of the image.
2. Regular physical inspections. Nicks, holes, cracks, or worn corners allow fluids, such as gel, disinfectants, or even body fluids, to infiltrate the probe. When fluid comes in contact with internal electrical and mechanical assemblies it results in short circuiting PCB boards, causes corrosion, and damages crystal arrays.
Fluid infiltration remains a high driver that destroys probes, often from within. These cracks and holes also allow the potential for cross-contamination too, putting your patients and your facility at risk.
When it comes to TEE probes, insertion tubes can easily be crushed or damaged by teeth, referred to as having bite marks. The best way to prevent damage to the insertion tube is to use bite guards. A $2 bite guard can often prevent an $8,000 repair or a $28,000 replacement.
But those figures pale in comparison to the patient risks and potential facility liability issues involved when probe defects go undetected or are ignored and the probes are kept in patient service.
3. Proper storage. Ultrasound equipment is mobile and can be moved from room to room for exams. If the probes are not properly stored after each use they can be easily dropped from the cart causing significant damage.
Damage to the tip or lens of the probe can cause defective crystals in the array and affect the quality of the image with potential of risk in interpretation. In addition, many times dangling cables have a risk of being run over in transit causing small tears or even worse broken cable wires.
Be sure the probe and all cables are secured and stored properly to avoid damage that can cause costly repair or replacement.
Studies have shown about one out of every four probes has some type of physical defect or performance problem needing to be resolved. (Weigang, Moore, Gessert, Phillips, & Schafer, 2004) Many of those defects can be avoided with proper handling, care and preventive maintenance of the probe.
The best way to avoid common probe damage is visually inspecting probes regularly. Note any physical defects, such as cracks in the probe case, nicks, holes or worn corners in the lens membrane, cuts or tears in the probe cable or strain relief, and bent or missing pins in the connector. These conditions are usually repairable, but if left unattended they all lead to probe failure.
Be sure to have a proactive probe management plan in place and perform regular training of technicians on proper maintenance and care.
About the author: Chris Wright is executive director of Axess Ultrasound. Axess Ultrasound provides ultrasound service, probe and system repair, technician training and parts for almost 1,000 hospitals and health care facilities around the world. Wright has almost 30 years of health care experience, specializing in ultrasound.