Envision Viral Barriers enable 100% gel-free ultrasound procedures
Envision probe covers and scanning pads reduce the risk of gel contamination and simplify workflow, asserted CIVCO Medical Solutions, provider of ultrasound infection control solutions in a news release. The company says its Envision viral barriers solution removes all gel from ultrasound procedures.
The Envision ultrasound probe covers and scanning pads are activated with a sterile liquid and require no gel, said CIVCO, which reduces the risk of contamination, can improve the quality of fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens, and simplifies clinician workflow. Ultrasound gel can pose a contamination risk in certain procedures, and multiple clinical studies have shown sterile ultrasound gel to be the cause of healthcare associated infections.
Studies report that gel can:
• contribute to increasing nosocomial infection, the spread of hospital acquired infections
• cause bacteria to be introduced into the blood stream3,6
• make the disinfection of sterilization process of devices, including ultrasound probes, less effective5
CIVCO says using Envision during needle-guided interventions, including CVC and PICC procedures, or while scanning non-intact skin eliminates the need for gel and helps reduce the risk of contamination.
Gel is also commonly used during an ultrasound-guided FNA procedure. However, clinical studies have shown the adverse effects ultrasound gel can have on FNA specimens:
• impairs the visibility of cells and interferes with staining of cells
• causes a significant increase in the number of slides with artefacts
• causes widespread cell lysis, increasing the risk of misinterpretation and a false positive diagnosis
• mimics colloid, creating difficulty in differentiation between artefact and colloid
CIVCO says Envision covers can help improve the visibility of cells in FNAs by removing gel from these procedures.
Envision viral barriers are available in two configurations: an ultrasound probe cover and a scanning pad. Envision probe covers can be used during ultrasound-guided needle interventions, and the Envision pad adheres to the patient or the ultrasound probe to scan non-intact or sensitive areas, including on neonates or post-surgical wound sites.
