Cleaning & Infection Control

Governance & Quality

Cleaning & Infection Control

Infection control is everyone’s responsibility. These standards are non-negotiable.

Rules at a glance

Single-use gel sachets onlyNever shared or multi-use bottles.

Sterile probe cover — every procedureIncluding peripheral lines. Blood contact triggers costly higher-level disinfection.

Red 70% alcohol wipes onlySanicloth® or Mediplus®. Chlorhexidine damages the equipment.

Green Clinell® sticker after every cleanLeave it visible on the machine.

Essentials on machine onlyGel sachets, red wipes, green stickers, probe covers.

Limit training scans on infectious patientsClinical indication required.

Step-by-step cleaning protocol

1
1 — Power down or freeze controls

Freeze the image or power down the machine before beginning the cleaning process to avoid inadvertent button presses during cleaning.

2
2 — Remove probe cover, gel and visible soiling

Carefully remove and discard the probe cover. Wipe away any remaining gel or visible soiling with a dry cloth or tissue before using alcohol wipes.

3
3 — Inspect transducer, cable and machine

Check the probe face, cable sheath, and machine casing for any damage, cracks, or contamination before proceeding.

4
4 — Wipe the transducer with 70% alcohol wipes

Use red-labelled Sanicloth® or Mediplus® 70% alcohol wipes. Wipe the probe face and cable thoroughly. Do not use chlorhexidine products — these damage the probe.

5
5 — Re-inspect

Confirm the probe face and cable are visually clean and dry before replacing.

6
6 — Clean machine exterior — screen, keyboard, trolley handles

Wipe down all high-touch surfaces on the machine including the screen, keyboard/trackpad, and trolley handles with 70% alcohol wipes.

7
7 — Air-dry and label

Allow the probe and machine to air-dry fully. Apply a green Clinell® sticker and leave it visible on the machine to confirm cleaning is complete.

Refer to the LocSSIPs and unit policy if in doubt about specific procedures.

  2. Unit Guides
  3. Cleaning & Infection Control

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Critical care echocardiography and point-of-care ultrasound for Salford Critical Care — FUSIC pathway support, governance, image review, and training resources.

Need help?

For anything ultrasound — FUSIC, governance, image review, or training:

criticalcareultrasound@nca.nhs.uk

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