Practice Management

  • 1.  Disposal of TV probe covers without blood

    Posted 03-07-2022 09:06

    Seeking clarification regarding the appropriate method of disposal for TV probe covers.
    There was a time where it was to be thrown in biohazard bags.
    A few years ago, at an institution where I worked, we were notified that they could go in the regular trash.
    I'm now looking it up formally online, and it appears that it should be disposed of in biohazard bags. Yet, used condoms are thrown in regular trash.
    Does someone have something recent from AIUM regarding this? There is plenty about the TV probe itself, but cannot find specifics on probe covers.
    Any help is greatly appreciated.



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    Heather Stanley-Christian
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  • 2.  RE: Disposal of TV probe covers without blood

    Posted 03-07-2022 13:43
    Hi Heather,
    The corresponding AIUM publication is: https://www.aium.org/officialstatements/57
    The SDMS refers to disposing of the covers in a "designated,approved receptacle" - https://www.sdms.org/docs/default-source/Resources/8756479320933256.pdf
    You may also find this reference helpful: Nyhsen CM, Humphreys H, Koerner RJ, et al. Infection prevention and control in ultrasound - best practice recommendations from the European Society of Radiology Ultrasound Working Group. Insights Imaging. 2017;8(6):523-535. doi:10.1007/s13244-017-0580-3

    Bottom line, infectious agents and bodily fluids can contaminate a probe cover and be transmittable. Blood can also contaminate the cover which may not always be grossly apparent. Probe covers should be disposed in a designated biohazard receptacle, not in a regular trash bin.
    Fadi

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    Fadi BSAT, MD, FAIUM
    Past Chair, SMFM Coding Committee
    Chair, SMFM Practice Management Division
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    Original Message