title: [Hygiene aspects in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sterile and clean working conditions are one of the keystones of medical practice and this is also true for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. The routine clinical practice in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia does not always comply with the principles of sterile and clean working conditions in medicine: therefore, patients are exposed to potential hazards regarding the transmission of pathogens via the ultrasound equipment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article deals with the question of whether sterile working conditions in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia are a relevant topic with medical and economic implications. Is it possible to implement the general recommendations for sterile working conditions in ultrasonography for the specific application of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia?
  
  
  METHODS
  A search of the available literature and published guidelines in the field of sterile working conditions with ultrasound was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The association between cross-infections and ultrasound equipment is undeniable. Many methods for cleansing and disinfection of ultrasound equipment have been published. All these methods are associated with advantages and disadvantages. The direct sterilization of ultrasound probes with high-percentage alcohol can damage ultrasound probes (especially linear). The use of self-adhesive sterile ultrasound probe covers is a practical method to achieve sterile working conditions in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of sterile ultrasound probe covers and sterile ultrasound contact media is an important prerequisite to avoid cross-infection between patients. An appropriate scientific evaluation should serve as evidence in this field.
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeine Anästhesie undIntensivmedizin, Universitätsklinik für Anästhesie, Allgemeine Intensivmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Wien, Österreich. peter.marhofer@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marhofer
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeine Anästhesie undIntensivmedizin, Universitätsklinik für Anästhesie, Allgemeine Intensivmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Wien, Österreich.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schebesta
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeine Anästhesie undIntensivmedizin, Universitätsklinik für Anästhesie, Allgemeine Intensivmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Wien, Österreich.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marhofer
mesh_terms: D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004203:Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards*; D013242:Sterilization; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Anesthesia, regional; Cross infection; Disinfection; Equipment contamination; Ultrasonography