EBME Forums Forums Management Professional Issues cleaning ultrasound probes

Hi All
we are having problems with the cleaning of a GE TV probe where the insulation is going yellow and cracking at the strain relief end after about 6 months. The probes are wiped down with clinell wipes dried and then put in a Trophon unit. The Clinell wipes and the Trophon Units are authorised products by GE for cleaning their equipment. I have looked at other probes in a different department and their GE probe cables are showing sign's of yellowing which leads me to the Clinell wipes. GE are blaming the cleaning method for the problem which I disagree with. Our TV probe is used daily and is cleaned about 15 times a day.

Does anybody use Clinell wipes and Trophon units together?
If yes do you have any issues?
Do you use either of the above?
if yes are there any issues?

regards

richard

Sounds like you need to try (conduct a trial) without using Clinell* wipes, Richard; just wiping with a dry tissue before putting the probe into the Trophon unit.

More about Clinell.

Meanwhile, Trophon units certainly seem to be "the answer" for probe disinfection. Am I right in assuming a wide (popular) up up-take of these machines? Does it have any competitors? And are on-going costs (cartridges) within sensible bounds?

I'm also wondering if there is anything like Trophon for endoscopes?

* Is it possible that the Staff could be using some other techniques (products) as well? Tristel, for example.

Clinell, providing a war between EBME and Infection control for a decade and counting.
If you read the correct instructions for clinell wipes it will explain that you should apply the wipe and then return with a damp cloth to remove the coating of Clinell. This is OK if the staff have the spare time to achieve this but just how do measure "damp".
Manufacturers are wising up to Clinell and its abrasiveness and Welch Allyn have gone so far in being able to supply you a roll of stickers to say "Im Clinell safe".
Clinell is indeed very effective in infection control but its does have the power to remove the soul from anything it touches.
We have only just resolved an issue with a Clinell effect on our range of infusion pumps, thankfully the manufacturer is understanding. Fight GE on this and unless they can supply to evidence against you then they should revisit they're own recommendation.

A brilliant (and in this case, most apt) turn of phrase there, John.

And yes; I also agree that GE probably need to reconsider their disinfecting recommendations.