AIUM hướng dẫn bảo vệ SA trong dịch COVID-19

"The AIUM strongly encourages cooperation among employers, sonographers, and manufacturers to promote a safe work environment,” the organization said in a statement.

While this guidance can be used for overall direction, the organization reiterated that sonographers should also be sure to comply with all regulations and protocols implemented by their home institutions. In addition, they should be sure to follow all local government and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommendations.

In an effort to curb any further viral transmission, the AIUM published these nine precautions:

1. Ultrasound providers with specific health conditions that make them vulnerable should have limited patient contact.

2. Sonographers should complete infection-control training and should be fitted for respirators, such as N95 and FFP3), if required.

3. Respect scheduled appointment times; spread out appointment times to avoid crowding in the waiting room; minimize the number of patients in the waiting room; space waiting room seats at least 6 feet apart; and, supply masks to both patients and caregivers upon arrival, if available.

4. No visitors should be allowed in the exam room with the patient, including medical trainees and students.

5. Assume every patient has COVID-19, and clean and disinfect the equipment and room at the end of every clinic.

6. Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient encounter, contact with potentially infectious material, and before and after removing personal protective equipment. Proper hand hygiene can be performed with an alcohol-based hand rub (with 60 percent-to-95 percent alcohol) or by washing hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds. Use latex-free disposable gloves during the ultrasound exam, and change them after every patient.

7. Perform scan with one hand on the transducer and one on the keyboard and machine controls. This helps avert any cross-contamination due to aerosols and particulate matter that can accumulate to the crevices of the keyboard.

8. If scanning a patient in isolation, put on any personal protective equipment prior to entering the room.

9. Properly clean and decontaminate any reusable personal protective equipment. Wear surgical facemasks when in close contact with patients, and put them on before entering the care area. If N95 respirators or higher are available, use them in place of a facemask. Wear reusable or disposable eye protection. Put on clean, non-sterile gloves before entering the exam room, dispose of them when leaving the room, and perform hand hygiene immediately. Wear a clean isolation gown. Reusable gowns should be held in a dedicated container, and disposable ones must be discarded after use. If gowns are in short supply, prioritize them for aerosol-generating procedures and high-contact patient care activities.

AIUM updates ultrasound safety guidelines for COVID-19

By AuntMinnie.com staff writers

April 1, 2020 -- The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) has changed its ultrasound cleaning and safe handling guidelines amid the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak.

The updated guidelines specify that healthcare professionals can disinfect external and interventional transducers with soap and water if low-level disinfection materials are not available. In addition, medical gloves, medical dressings, and other physical barriers should be used if there are no transducer covers.

The AIUM also noted that low-level disinfection is effective for external and interventional procedures, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The guidelines include a link to disinfectants approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use against the novel coronavirus.

Other changes to the guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic include the following:

• Equipment requires full low-level disinfection if used for patients with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections that require mechanical ventilation, aerosolization application, and other aerosolization procedures.
• If possible, use a single, dedicated scanner and transducer system for patients with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, as the novel coronavirus can survive on plastic for up to 72 hours.
• Clean all ancillary equipment for a procedure when cleaning an ultrasound system.
• Follow manufacturer and institutional guidelines.