Effectiveness of a Hydrogen Peroxide Mist (Trophon) System in Inactivating Healthcare Pathogens on Surface and Endocavitary Probes

Ultrasound probes are used in sonographic scanning and are commonly used as either surface probes or endocavitary probes. Surface probes are used on intact skin, such as the abdomenthey are considered noncritical and require at least low-level disinfection between patients. Endocavitary probes (eg, transvaginal, transrectal, or transesophageal probes) are considered semicritical because they have direct contact with mucous membranes (eg, vagina, rectum, or pharynx) or nonintact skin. While one could argue that the use of the probe cover changes the category for the endocavitary probe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline for disinfection and sterilization recommends that a new condom/probe cover should be used for each patient, and because condoms/probe covers and low-level disinfection may fail, high-level disinfection of the probe should be performed. The relevance of this recommendation is reinforced by the finding that sterile ultrasound probe covers and condoms can have a perforation rate from 0% to 81% before and after use. These studies underscore the need for high-level disinfection of endocavitary probes between examinations