Abstract
In performing a physiological examination of diseased patients, precautions against an indirect-contact-route transmission of infections are critical to ensuring patient safety. We studied the causes of noncompliance to cleaning and disinfection of the surfaces of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment and its accessories after examination of each patient and developed effective measures to improve compliance according to the study results. Fluorescent dye paste in combination with a black light for the study of hand hygiene compliance was used for identifying areas of insufficient cleaning and disinfection after patient examination by 11 medical technologists. As a result, the surfaces of clinical equipment, such as the track ball and operation panels, which have uneven surfaces, were found to be insufficiently cleaned. Furthermore, some staff members failed to clean the surfaces of clinical items, such as a jelly container, touch panel light, and barcode-reading sensors, and the surface of the equipment on the patient side. In summary, insufficient cleaning and disinfection of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment occurs, which is mainly attributable to a failure in the education and training systems. It is necessary to educate the examiners using feedback of the investigation results on compliance and to enhance compliance using a standard operation procedure and a checklist-based risk assessment.
