Probe Disinfection Compliance

Be Confident & Compliant in Ultrasound Probe Disinfection

Knowing how to best clean your ultrasound probe depends on several factors, including what is outlined in the ultrasound manufacturer's IFU, following regulatory guidelines, and understanding how the ultrasound probe is categorized based on the Spaulding Classification.

Definition Risk Example Disinfection Level
Critical Device enters sterile tissue or vascular system High Probes used during surgical procedures* Sterilization*
Semi-Critical Device contacts mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or high-risk patients Intermediate TEE Endovaginal, Endorectal probes High-Level Disinfection (HLD)
Non-Critical Device contacts intact skin Low General Purpose Probes** Low or Intermediate Disinfection
*Heat-sensitive devices can be high-level disinfected, at a minimum, when sterilization cannot be done due to the potential damage to the device.
**High-level disinfect general purpose probes when a patient is high risk or skin is not intact.


If your probe has been classified as semi-critical, there are key steps in the process of disinfecting the device:

  • Pre-Clean | Remove probe cover, clean ultrasound gel or debris from probe using cloth or wipe, rinse, dry
  • Transport | Safely transport probe to an area where high-level disinfection occurs
  • High-Level Disinfection | Automated or manual cleaning, disinfection, and rinsing of probes
  • Storage | Protect high-level disinfected probes from damage and cross-contamination



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