title: Ultrasound scanning of post-operative wounds--the risks of cross-infection.
abstract: Ultrasound scanning of surgical wounds is an established procedure for the detection of abscesses. The possible risks of cross-infection resulting from this technique were examined by testing the sterility of the ultrasound probes, the coupling gel and the stand-off medium Kitecko (3 M). The coupling gel was also assessed for any bactericidal properties. Sixty-six per cent of swabs taken from machines in constant use and 33% of the total number of swabs taken were contaminated with skin flora including Staphylococcus aureus. Sterility was achieved using a 70% alcohol wipe. The coupling gel was inherently sterile but had no bactericidal action. The solid stand-off medium Kitecko grew Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas species. The implications of these findings in relation to scanning post-operative wounds are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012307:Risk Factors; D013242:Sterilization; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation