Ultrasound Gel—Moms and babies at risk

Two infectious pathogens have been found growing in bottles of ultrasound gel in Canadian health care facilities. The connection was discovered by tracing skin infections on moms and babies who had recently had ultrasounds.

Ultrasound gel is often kept in squeeze bottles left with the machines that require it. Ultrasound machines and fetal monitors are the most common places you would find the gel. It does not contain any anti-bacterial properties.

The theory is that the nozzle of the bottles are coming in contact with the patient’s skin thereby contaminating the tip and allowing the pathogens to then find a great place to grow within the bottle. Gel that is heated only speeds the process of bacterial growth. Then this gel is used on the next patient. Suggestions for preventing the spread are to ensure bottles do not have direct contact with the skin and cleaning the nozzles of the bottles with an anti-bacterial wipe after each use.

A concern which crosses the mind of a nurse is one of infections that were missed. How many new moms developed wound infections following delivery because of the ultrasound gel used on their abdomens throughout the labour or prior to their caesarean section? How many babies developed skin infections that were never traced back to the gel?

Technique is so important to the outcome of a patient's care. And more attention needs to be paid to the systems in place to prevent infection and how they are actually followed on the front line of health care.