In the health care industry, ultrasound machines provide a valuable service by offering a noninvasive and accurate imaging tool that can help monitor patient health and diagnose conditions. Regular ultrasound maintenance is required for your equipment to function correctly and extend its lifespan. For more than twenty years, ultrasound imaging has been extremely safe. Since this system does not use ionizing radiation, its risks are different from X-rays and other imaging devices.
Although most health care providers consider ultrasound imaging to be safe when performed by properly trained professionals, ultrasound energy does have the potential to produce biological effects. Ultrasound waves may slightly heat tissues. Cavitation can occur when small gas pockets form in body fluids or tissues. However, it is not known what the long-term effects will be.
When it comes to the safety of your patients, don’t take any chances. Be sure to have your ultrasound maintenance and repair done regularly.
Patient safety is a priority at every medical facility. In some cases, minor problems can go unnoticed and put the patient’s safety at risk. However, ultrasound probes are prone to a number of oversights.
Implications of a defective ultrasound probe
An ultrasound probe transfers data between the ultrasound system and the patient’s anatomy. Probes that collect and deliver inaccurate data to the system are considered defective. Depending on the severity of probe problems, a clinical misdiagnosis can result. Many clinical risks are associated with bad probes, including doppler flow sensitivity, spectral broadening, lower peak velocities, mitral valve irregularities, missed soft plaques, and increased scan times. Even seemingly minor issues with the lens, strain relief, or cabling can cause serious clinical and safety problems when left unattended. The importance of maintaining, repairing, and replacing ultrasound probes cannot be overstated.
Checklist for ultrasound maintenance
Maintaining your ultrasound regularly ensures that it provides accurate diagnosis to your patients and continues to provide high performance. Ultrasound systems are critical to a smoothly functioning medical practice, so maintaining them should become a habit. It is also quite expensive to purchase ultrasound equipment. If you fail to maintain it properly, it may shorten its lifespan. Maintaining your system will promote trouble-free operation and extend its life. By following a few simple steps, you can keep it running efficiently. Listed below are the 5 most important things to remember for ultrasound maintenance.
Frequently check and clean the ultrasound machine.
Make sure the ultrasound is connected correctly before you begin the examination. Carefully check all cables and transducers. Any frayed or cut parts should be replaced immediately. Procedures and products for cleaning transducers can differ depending on their type and make. Probes must be regularly cleaned and disinfected to ensure patient safety and hygiene. It is essential only to clean and disinfect transducers with products recommended by the OEM. The solution should not be sprayed or spilled in transducer receptacles.
Pay attention to the transducers
Transducers are essential to a fully functional ultrasound unit. They need to be checked correctly to give accurate results. Consequently, the probe and the ultrasound machine’s connection should be inspected visually before each use. A cracked or cut probe tube or lens should not be used. Ultrasound gel or disinfectant can cause damage to the transducer if they seep into the cuts.
Furthermore, look for tears in the cable since broken wires inside the transducer may indicate a problem. Finally, be sure to follow cleaning protocols, such as sterilizing certain types of probes before use. Clean and disinfect the probes with the appropriate detergent. Ensuring that the disinfectants are compatible with the manufacturer’s instructions is essential to minimize probe damage.
Everyday preventative maintenance
Maintaining the system in good working condition is essential to avoiding breakdowns. At the end of every shift, you should note any errors or concerns. If you encounter any serious problems, please notify your service representative as soon as possible. It is common to find residue on the system’s user interface due to dust accumulation over time and liquid spills such as ultrasound gel and disinfectants. The surface of the user interface may be compromised by a spill or other substance leaking into it.
Make sure you make a backup
Regularly perform a complete backup of your system. In the event of system failure caused by software or hardware issues, this feature will reduce downtime. If you back up your user preferences, network data, options, and other information, you can fully restore your system within a few hours. Without a backup, it might take days.
Perform regular ultrasound maintenance
An ultrasound system is much like a computer. It slows down over time. At first, you might not even notice it. Therefore, you should schedule periodic ultrasound maintenance and clean by an experienced technician. The technician will perform the necessary tests and equipment checks to ensure your machine is working correctly. This includes thoroughly cleaning the system inside and out. Modern ultrasound devices are susceptible to heat. It is important to clean filters, intake grills, air passages, and brackets to prevent future failures. Every ultrasound system should have its filters cleaned regularly.
Get your ultrasound machine serviced by experts
In any clinical setting, ultrasound machines are essential equipment, and 1904 HTM understands the importance of providing quality service and support. We provide ultrasound maintenance, service, and repair for all makes and models of ultrasound machines, as well as a range of other imaging technologies throughout the Puget Sound area, including Tacoma, Seattle, and Portland. We offer you the expertise you need to keep your ultrasound machine running smoothly and safely. Let us put our experience to work for you today.