Infection Control and Transducers

cycle of infection: point 1

reservoir

cycle of infection: point 2

exit from reservoir

cycle of infection: point 3

vehicle of transmission

cycle of infection: point 4

portal of entry

cycle of infection: point 5

susceptible host

reservoir

place on which or in which organisms grow and reproduce. examples include humans and animals

exit from reservoir

escape route for organisms. examples include nose, throat, mouth, ear, intestinal tract, urinary tract, and wounds

vehicle of transmission

means by which organisms are carried about. examples include hands, equipment, instruments, china and silverware, linens, and droplets.

portal of entry

part of body where organisms enter. examples include any break in skin or mucous membrane, mouth, nose, and genitourinary tract

susceptible host

person whose body cannot fight off organism once it enters the body and who therefore usually becomes ill

medical asepsis

the practices used to render an object or area free of pathogenic microorganisms.

examples of medical asepsis

• hand-washing

• use of disinfectants

• use of transducer or probe covers (endocavity exams)

• use of sterile gel (when in procedure)

• transducer being disinfected after every exam

PACS

stands for picture-archiving and communication system. allows for both easy storage and comparison between sonographic findings and straightforward correlation between other imaging modality findings

high frequency transducer =

• high/better resolution

• low/poor penetration

low frequency transducer =

• low/poor resolution

• high/better penetration

higher frequency transducers (7.5-18 MHz+)

should be used for superficial structures, such as thyroid, scrotum, breast, musculoskeletal imaging, and some gastrointestinal examinations

standoff pad or a mound of gel

may be used for imaging some superficial structures, such as splinters or foreign objects just below the skin surface

lower frequency curved array transducers (2.0-5.0 MHz)

are employed for general abdominal imaging for the assessment of deeper or larger structures such as the liver, abdominal aorta, or pancreas