Cecile Paya provides an insight into the demands of reprocessing transoesophageal echocardiogram probes. She argues that automated solutions should be adopted to ensure both the safety of the probe and the safety of the patient
Reprocessing probes for trans-oesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) probes is a major challenge. Over the past decade, there have been repeated reports of inadequate disinfection in the UK – resulting in crosscontamination1 and even death.2
TOE probes (also known as TEE probes in some other countries) are classified as “semi-critical” (as per the Spaulding Classification) as they are in contact with mucous membrane – thus requiring them to be systematically high level disinfected (HLD) between each patient. So, why has cross-contamination occurred? A possible cause might be linked to the different reprocessing methods still used today.
What are the existing methods for TOE probe reprocessing?
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