For instance, ultrasound transducers are ultramodern machines that play a crucial role during the examination and treatment of a variety of patients. Transducer errors or breakdowns may cause mistreatment. This is one reason why ultrasound transducer repairs and maintenance are so important.
Wear and tear from overuse can indeed cause damage. This is a problem that all machines face. Yet, experiences before have shown me that my suspicion of higher-than-normal unnecessary repairs or replacements due to neglect and mishandling of the machines stems from a grain of truth. One of the aspects of ensuring proper maintenance is proper cleaning of the transducer using disinfectant wipes to allow effective functioning without contamination.
To ensure a positive ROI while guaranteeing accurate results for patients, here are a few suggestions on how to maintain your ultrasound transducer.
1: Product Isopropyl Alcohol Based
Many people have difficulty understanding how to use instruments properly. There are various tools used in medical practice by nurses and doctors, to monitor patients, and many actions have to be done cautiously. For example, a transfusion should be done with a nice and steady hand so that the needle does the minimum damage, and the ultrasound should be performed without extreme movements; so the images on the screen are not distorted. An adequate use of a medical instrument should also not compromise and put the patient in a vulnerable position. Cleanliness in such a context needs to be upheld in the utmost way. One would argue that isopropyl alcohol should be one of the go-to products used to ease the disinfecting the ultrasound probes. There should be no cross-contamination, and infection should be the last thing on your list. But that is not the case, with the latest discoveries made. Some even argue that going beyond the limits of controlling how infection is spread is what causes the havoc of disease transmission. It is easy enough to claim that the transducers are delicate hence only a solution to be used that has 70% alcohol can be described. The insert device, for example, the lens of a TEE machine and the frame of the TEE machine can be cleaned adequately with Able to cleanse using isopropyl alcohol without damage, provided that the lens frame, lens and insert of the TEE device are used. The parts of the transducer like the lens, cable, strain relief, and USB connectors could be claimed clean, just not with this type of solution because they will suffer destruction.
To avoid cross-contamination and safeguard patient safety, I advise that you follow the cleaning guidelines provided by the manufacturer to the letter. The OEM’s manual does not just tell you how to clean the transducer; it also tells you which disinfectants are safe for use on their machines.
Remember that if the unit is damaged through the use of non-recommended disinfectants, your warranty and service contract may not cover the damage.
2: Brushes
Dust hinders the efficiency of transducers and causes defects in the equipment’s reliability. One could assume that the softest of bristles are most appropriate for getting rid of any dust that might settle in the creases of the machinery. It is, in fact, the most effective solution for dust removal. Even the softest of brushes can damage the lens materials. The most optimum use of a very soft-bristled brush is when cleaning the metal surfaces of the connector of a Philips non-TEE transducer. To avoid damaging a transducer, the OEM manual should first be consulted as to whether such brushes are allowed to be used on the machine. If it isn't safe, removing dust with a soft microfiber cloth is perfectly safe.
3: Direct sunlight & Excessive Moisture
Your ultrasound transducer should never be placed in any location where it can be in direct contact with high amounts of sunlight or extreme humidity. In the same manner, the ultrasound machine can also ‘get sunburnt’ using proper precautions. The equipment can also get defective if the temperature changes extremely too rapidly or when the machine is exposed to strong sources of ultraviolet light.
4: Paper towel
You should never use a paper towel to clean a display and especially if you can see smudges. This will only scratch your screen and damage your display.Using a sharp object to clean it has the same effect. That is how sensitive display screens are. Rather, use medical grade disinfectant wipes for ultrasound. They are gentle enough and won’t cause any harm. Usually, cleaning instructions suggest that the person cleaning the device use a blotting motion instead of a wiping motion to ensure safety.
5: Non-Certified Employees
With regards to the ultrasound transducer, nothing can inflict more damage than non-certified employees. A lot of damage can be done while cleaning, operating, moving and even storing your equipment if the person is not trained. Damage through carelessly handling the equipment can result in broken lenses and cracked casing. Even minor cuts and scratches can allow liquids to infiltrate the machinery, and this would not only spoil it but also pose risks of infections to your employees, and more critically, to your patients. An untrained employee may also be very careless while coiling cables and this may lead to the wheels of your machine running over any loose dangling wires.
Avoiding expenses is simple to accomplish. One thing would be to train your personnel on how to properly take care of ultrasound transducers. This will help in making sure that damage is not done, accidentally or otherwise. In addition to training, it is also necessary to implement a thorough check-up schedule. Finding small scratches and other deteriorations early on can help save a lot in the future. You'll incur far less cost than you would expect, and almost none for a replacement. Most importantly, the chances of infecting your patients and staff members can be minimized.