Abstract
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established guidelines to help prevent the spread of infection in health care environments. Although there are no guidelines established specifically for ultrasound departments, general infection control protocols exist. In previous studies, researchers evaluated the compliance with infection control techniques among health care professionals, yet few researchers have focused on the field of ultrasound. Therefore, the authors sent 100 surveys to ultrasound departments located within the five boroughs of New York. Specific questions were asked regarding practiced infection control technique, including hand washing, glove use, transducer cleaning, disinfection and sterilization, wearing of additional protective clothing when necessary, and examination room maintenance. A 51% response rate was obtained. A number of statistically significant correlations were found between the personal characteristics of the sonographer and the adherence to universal precautions. With strict adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines, and with proper support and enforcement by ultrasound departments, sonographers should be able to provide a clean, infection-controlled environment.