{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]],"date-time":"2026-10-02T07:57:36Z","timestamp":1790927856252,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":20,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790553600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Ultrasound"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background and aim:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Ultrasound is integral to many aspects of healthcare. Patient harm can occur when ultrasound decontamination is not adequate. Evidence-based guidance exists to inform operators of appropriate practice. A clinical audit was performed to assess compliance with these standards in an acute hospital.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>An assessment tool was developed to capture data across multiple domains to evaluate compliance with ultrasound reprocessing standards. Key variables included operator identity, professional role, and location, alongside procedure type and Spaulding classification to ensure correct risk stratification. Infection prevention and control nurses observed ultrasound procedures, categorising probes as critical, semi-critical or non-critical and assessed whether the correct level of decontamination was applied. Adherence to manufacturer instructions for use and local standard operating procedures was evaluated. Traceability of reprocessing was examined. Compliance was summarised as proportions by year and by Spaulding category with statistical analysis performed in Python. Between audit cycles, a multi-modal quality improvement plan was devised and implemented.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results\/discussion:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Between the pre- and post-intervention phases, adherence to appropriate disinfection selection and technique improved significantly overall (p\u2009&lt;\u20090.0001) and specifically in critical and non-critical probes. In all six areas that were fully subject to the interventions and re-audit, there was improvement. In the one area subject to re-audit where staff did not participate in training programmes, there was a decline in compliance, supporting that the availability of a standard operating procedure and appropriate equipment is not sufficient on its own but that training of operators is a key contributing factor to improvement.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1177\/1742271x261484807","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T08:27:56Z","timestamp":1790584076000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Closing the gap in ultrasound probe hygiene: Improving ultrasound probe decontamination through evidence-based interventions"],"prefix":"10.1177","author":[{"given":"Jincy","family":"Jerry","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"NHS Ayrshire &amp; Arran, Kilmarnock, UK"},{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michelle","family":"Cranmer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"},{"name":"National Cancer Registry Ireland, Cork, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Vasantha","family":"Gopalan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Trevor","family":"Duffy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Central Sterile Supplies Department, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Technical University, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mary","family":"Walsh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sine","family":"Gilchriest","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Paul","family":"Ryan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ana","family":"Safara","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Suganthi","family":"Sundaram","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Radiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2017-8669","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cian","family":"McDermott","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cleona","family":"Gray","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mary R.","family":"Curran","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-0187-9678","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kathryn","family":"Byrne","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-9961-0141","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Deirdre","family":"Brady","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland"},{"name":"University College Dublin School of Medicine, Ireland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_2_2_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jum.15300"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S1441-2772(23)01527-2"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_4_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1742271X18774594"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_5_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/cc7454"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_6_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.15585\/mmwr.mm7148a3"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_7_2","unstructured":"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multistate outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia infections associated with contaminated ultrasound gel 2012 https:\/\/archive.cdc.gov\/www_cdc_gov\/hai\/outbreaks\/b-cepacia-ultrasound-gel\/index.html"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_8_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhin.2017.09.010"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_9_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gallay C Miranda E Schaefer S et al. Human papillomavirus (HPV) contamination of gynaecological equipment. Sex Transm Infect 2016; 92(1): 19\u201323. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/sextrans-2014-051977","DOI":"10.1136\/sextrans-2014-051977"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_10_2","first-page":"517","volume-title":"Disinfection, sterilization and preservation","author":"Spaulding EH.","year":"1968","unstructured":"Spaulding EH. Chemical disinfection of medical and surgical materials. In: Lawrence C, Block SS (eds) Disinfection, sterilization and preservation. Lea & Febiger, 1968, pp.517\u2013531."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_11_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s13244-017-0580-3"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_12_2","unstructured":"Society of Radiographers and British Medical Ultrasound Society guidelines for professional ultrasound practice ed 9th 2026 https:\/\/www.sor.org\/learning-advice\/professional-body-guidance-and-publications\/documents-and-publications\/policy-guidance-document-library\/sor-and-bmus-guidelines-for-professional-ultra-(2)"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_13_2","unstructured":"European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. EFSUMB Best Practice recommendations for cleaning and disinfection of ultrasound transducers whilst maintaining transducer integrity 2021 https:\/\/efsumb.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2022-probe_cleaning_recommendation.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_14_2","unstructured":"Health Service Executive (HSE). Quality improvement division. HSE guidance for decontamination of semi-critical ultrasound probes; semi-invasive and non-invasive ultrasound probes. Document: QPSD-GL_0281 2016 http:\/\/www.hse.ie\/eng\/about\/Who\/qualityandpatientsafety\/MedicalDevices\/decontamination\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_15_2","unstructured":"Department of Health (UK). Health technical memorandum 01-06 part C operational management (C: 72) 2016 https:\/\/www.england.nhs.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/HTM0106_PartC.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_16_2","unstructured":"Health Protection Scotland. NHS Scotland Guidance for decontamination of semi-critical ultrasound probes; semi-invasive and non-invasive ultrasound probes 2017 https:\/\/www.nss.nhs.scot\/media\/3992\/res-183-1-v1-2.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_17_2","unstructured":"NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership \u2013 Specialist Estates Services. Welsh health technical memorandum 01\u201106 part F: decontamination of flexible endoscopes. Part F: decontamination of semi\u2011critical ultrasound probes; semi\u2011invasive and non\u2011invasive ultrasound probes 2023 https:\/\/nwssp.nhs.wales\/ourservices\/specialist-estates-services\/specialist-estates-services-documents\/whtms-library\/whtm-01-06-part-f-decontamination-of-flexible-endoscopes\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_18_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13756-021-00896-w"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_19_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhin.2025.03.017"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_20_2","unstructured":"Ultrasound infection prevention toolkit version 1.0 UK and Ireland Nanosonics Ltd 2021 https:\/\/www.ultrasoundinfectionprevention.org.uk\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_21_2","unstructured":"Ultrasound audit tool template https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1CMakGCrS50tT6IlspKHiLLkry8uZ4gTe?usp=sharing"}],"container-title":["Ultrasound"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/1742271X261484807","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/1742271X261484807","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/1742271X261484807","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]],"date-time":"2026-10-02T07:47:52Z","timestamp":1790927272000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/1742271X261484807"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]]},"references-count":20,"alternative-id":["10.1177\/1742271X261484807"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1742271x261484807","relation":{},"ISSN":["1742-271X","1743-1344"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1742-271X","type":"print"},{"value":"1743-1344","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]]},"article-number":"1742271X261484807"}}