Category: "Probing Questions"

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the healthcare industry, particularly in medical device reprocessing.

An essential tool healthcare professionals use to guide the reprocessing of reusable medical devices is the Spaulding Classification system.

The transportation of clean and soiled ultrasound probes within a medical facility is an often overlooked but crucial aspect of patient safety and infection control.

The healthcare industry is facing a significant staffing crisis that has reached alarming proportions. The 2024 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report states, "Reflecting on the past 5 years, the average hospital turned over 106.6% of its workforce."

CS Medical is proud to sponsor the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) public service campaign, International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW).

Dig into these five “Whys” behind HAIs to help create a safer healthcare environment and reduce the risk of HAIs spreading to patients, providers, staff, and visitors.

This guide is designed to help healthcare professionals navigate the intricate process of cleaning and disinfecting ultrasound probes, ensuring patient safety and reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Announcing the release of our latest innovation: Probe Valet™. Designed with the safety of healthcare professionals and patients in mind, Probe Valet is a biohazard transport bag specifically engineered for endocavity and surface ultrasound probes.

TEEClean Automated TEE Probe Cleaner Disinfector surpasses competition because of its simplicity. It manages every step of the reprocessing procedure—from cleaning to high-level disinfection and rinsing—within one device.

Ultrasound probe damage directly impacts patients, their health, and their outcomes through its effects on diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, patient safety, comfort, and psychological well-being.

Is using a probe cover or condom enough to eliminate the need for high-level disinfection?

The impact of automated reprocessing on time efficiency can be observed by comparing the three most common methods: manual, semi-automated, and fully automated reprocessing.

As healthcare facilities prioritize patient safety, infection control, and staff well-being, adopting automated reprocessing technologies represents a proactive step toward achieving these goals.

CS Medical is thrilled to announce the continuation of its strategic partnership with APIC into 2024, aiming to advance the science and practice of infection prevention and control.

Enhancing Patient Safety Through Automated MRC Testing

AquaCide^® Cleaner Disinfectant: Advancing Healthcare Reprocessing

AAMI Updates Water Quality Standards: Implications for Medical Device Reprocessing

CS Medical is proud to sponsor the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) public service campaign, International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW). Established in 1986, IIPW aims to shine a light on infection prevention and will take place

The healthcare industry is one of the most vital industries in the world; without it, quality of life around the globe would diminish dramatically.

According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Guidance for Preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), an SOP, “is a set of written instructions that document a routine or repetitive activity followed by an organization.

Every medical facility is familiar with disinfecting wipes; most facilities employ a wide variety of wipes from various companies to accomplish different purposes.

For years, it has been widely accepted that automated methods of cleaning and high-level disinfection are more reliable than manual methods.

Imaging technology has come an incredibly long way since ultrasounds first started to be widely available in the mid-1960s.

The Spaulding Classification system for reprocessing medical equipment has been around for over eighty years and has been instrumental in helping to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

With COVID-19 pressures and fears finally taking a back seat, many hoped that 2022 would bring relief and a fresh start to the healthcare industry. That is not what happened. Last year has been one of the hardest for healthcare.

In the constant hustle and bustle of life when working in healthcare, it is really hard to stop and take a moment to read yet another little booklet of instructions on how to use a new version of an old product that you have used a thousand times before.

Next year will mark twenty years since CS Medical was founded, back in 2003. This is an opportunity for us as a company to look back and reflect on how we have grown to impact not just our community, but the world through our innovative designs and our incredible team through the years.

Innovation is one of the hallmarks of a thriving and flourishing society. With innovation comes growth, improvement, and progress.

When you stop to think about it, electrical leakage testers are one of the most important components when reprocessing a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probe.

Every time a new supply of disinfectant is delivered or a new medical device is opened, you may be tempted to grab the seemingly innumerable flyers, leaflets, and instructions from the box and toss them in the trash.

With the state of the world being what it is these days, it’s hard knowing who to trust. A simple Google search on any topic will pull up various opinions and “facts” which are in direct opposition to one another.

TEEClean is truly an innovative concept which has not been paralleled. It is notable for many features, but a few really work to make TEEClean unique.

According to the American Heart Association, transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probes use high-frequency sound waves to make detailed pictures of the heart and the arteries that lead to and from it.

Reprocessing reusable medical devices, like TEE ultrasound probes, can be a long and tiresome process, especially when you’re busy juggling various other tasks throughout the day.

We’ve all been there. Looking at a food item that has technically expired according to the label, but looks and smells fresh. It’s easy and typically safe to ignore the label and just eat the food. But is it safe to use enzymatic cleaners or high-level disinfectants after they have expired?

Just released: a comprehensive guide to the risks involved in transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probe reprocessing and how to avoid those pitfalls.

The quality of that water is of extreme importance, especially the water used after high-level disinfection.

Multi-use disinfectants are not the only option available for high-level disinfection.

Improper modes of transportation introduce unnecessary risk to patients, staff, probes, and the facility.

Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probes carry a rich and fascinating history.

Learn why you should be drying TEE probes with QwikDry Ultrasound Probe Drying Cloths prior to storage.

When it comes to medical devices and the products needed for reprocessing transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probes, generic forms of high-level disinfectant can lead to very serious and costly consequences.

Where does Spaulding Classification come from and what are the classifications?

What is the FDA and what does it even mean to say that a product has been cleared for use by the FDA and how is such clearance obtained?

Despite all the negative feelings surrounding CE, it is actually not a waste and certainly not pointless. CE is very important, even for those who have been in the field for decades.

How much goes into reprocessing a simple TEE probe, anyway? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a PDF outlining everything you need to know about disinfection and sterilization.

2020 brought us a lot to think about through COVID-19. Some realized that perhaps more PPE was not necessarily the only solution to the scarcity of N95 masks.

Waste has become a major issue over the last few decades. As society has advanced, more and more things have become disposable and we have become more and more willing to just toss things in the trash, even when it's not necessary.

CS Medical LLC has decided to continue as an APIC Strategic Partner in 2021 in order to keep fighting towards healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention.

Now that surveys have resumed, it is important to know what has changed in the survey process and how you can be better prepared. The survey process looks "somewhat different" according to TJC.

Each of the goals addresses an area in which TJC has noted some deficiencies in need of correction or attention. Review these goals for your own facility and see what you can do to improve patient outcomes.

Cleaning a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probe is vital to achieving high-level disinfection.

When you’re considering purchasing an automated TEE ultrasound probe reprocessor for your facility. At CS Medical, we recognize that every facility has different preferences and needs, so we provide several state of the art options to take into consideration:

Not only are HAIs unbelievably expensive and damaging to a healthcare facility, but they diminish and sometimes reverse the hard work put in by healthcare professionals to get patients healthy. In some cases, they even lead to death.

In this age of instant information at our fingertips, technologies that retain all information on a patient procedure and make it easily transportable via thumb drive are very attractive. But are they compliant with laws and standards set by HIPAA and by accrediting agencies, like TJC?

This year is coming to a close. Finally. With 2020 in the rearview, many are looking expectantly to 2021, wondering what the new year will bring. While we can’t know what lies ahead for us in the coming year, we can prepare for it.

Becker’s Hospital Review reports that, “The total direct, indirect and nonmedical social costs of HAIs are estimated at around $96 billion to $147 billion annually, including loss of work, legal costs and other patient factors.” How can infections cost so much?

Peracetic acid (PAA) is a high-level disinfectant (HLD) used in various industries ranging from sterilization in a healthcare setting to food processing.

As you have been thinking about or reviewing existing SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures), a key factor that is important to always remember is your staff and the complex job they are tasked to complete.

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) state, in their most recent published, Guidelines for Reprocessing the Ultrasound Transducer that “Effective disinfection or sterilization requires adequate cleaning.”

In an effort to reduce the amount of time healthcare professionals must spend reprocessing transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probes, our scientists and engineers have developed the TD 200® Automated TEE Probe Disinfector with TD 12® AquaCide® High Level Disinfectant.

While transesophageal echocardiography has been helpful in assessing cardiac function for COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 presents healthcare facilities with new challenges.

Knowing the incredible lengths our healthcare workers have gone to keep us all safe has inspired CS Medical to provide solutions to keep our healthcare workers safe.

After bedside cleaning, cleaning, and then high-level disinfecting a TEE ultrasound probe, it’s time to give it a quick wipe with a paper towel and store it. If this sounds familiar, you’re not drying your probes properly.

We have recently upgraded and significantly expanded our in-house Microbiology and Chemistry Laboratories. This renovation helps keep us on the cutting edge of our field and provides you with great products that can get the job done right, every time, saving you time, money, and stress.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread shortages of PPE in the healthcare world, especially of face masks, like N95 respirators. Seeing this major problem, CS Medical has teamed up with AirClean Systems to provide a solution to the PPE shortage: the UV Light Box.

Fortunately for those who were looking forward to visiting CS Medical’s booth this year, we have some wonderful news: you don’t have to miss out. Because of CS Medical’s dedication to stopping the spread of HAIs, we will be hosting a virtual event in lieu of attending APIC’s Annual Conference.

After you remove your TEE probe from your TEEClean or TD 100 and you dry it off? Should you hang it up, put it in a case, or something else? And once stored, how long can probes stay high-level disinfected? Let’s go over the basics and understand what the best practices are for TEE probe storage.

In an effort to better serve our customers, CS Medical’s Service Department would like to announce the production of TD 100 Service Videos.

CS Medical^® is pleased to announce the distribution agreement with AirClean^® Systems to offer the UV Light Box. The AirClean Systems UV Light Box is just another example of when collaboration between companies provides a solution in a time of need.

Organizing and implementing self-assessments may feel like an added pressure, but as everyone in the healthcare industry knows: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Do we have any reason to believe our water is always safe for consumption? More importantly, do we know that our municipal water is safe for rinsing semi-critical devices, like TEE probes and endoscopes, so as to retain high-level disinfection status?

According to HIPAA, ePHI is, “any protected health information that is created, stored, transmitted, or received in any electronic format or media.” Any medical device which retains this information can prove to be a weakness in your facility’s defense of patient ePHI...

Evidence has been presented that semi-critical devices, devices that come in contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin, such as endoscopes and endocavity probes, cause more healthcare associated infections than non-critical or critical medical devices...

Our CS Medical team receives a lot questions regarding Annual Device Verification, so we’ve put together a list of some of the most common concerns and their responses:

There are at least three solid reasons for making the change to automation and propelling your healthcare facility into the future.

Too many facilities have no standardized way of storing transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probes. Some facilities have used transportation cases to store their TEE probes, but that is not their intended use and is actually prohibited in several countries.

When reprocessing TEE probes, the focus is on ensuring that the probe shaft is properly bedside cleaned, cleaned, and high-level disinfected. But what about the TEE probe handle and the cables?

Today, CS Medical announced a strategic partnership with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)

The Joint Commission (TJC) has released its National Patient Safety Goals for 2020. According to TJC, these goals are developed in an effort to improve patient safety in hospitals in the coming year.

Let’s look at four HLDs commonly used to reprocess TEE ultrasound probes and find out what the risks are and how to mitigate them.

When reprocessing TEE ultrasound probes, it is vital to perform electrical leakage testing after every single use. While the reasons for electrical leakage testing are numerous, there are three reasons that really stand out...

See how TEEClean sets the new standard for TEE probe reprocessing.

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) can save the day at your healthcare facility and even save lives.

Are you prepared to provide records of every single cleaning and disinfection event for your TEE probes?

The Joint Commission (TJC) will score them based on the procedure they use to high-level disinfect TEE probes, many do not realize that proper storage is also on TJC’s audit checklist.

Companies which offered comprehensive training programs to their employees enjoy a 24% higher profit margin than those who spent less on training.

A feature that can give users and healthcare facilities more confidence that they are providing patients with the highest level of care and security.

TEE probes are very easily damaged if they are banged, scraped, or mishandled.

Material compatibility testing is what ensures the safety and longevity of practically every medical device on the market

This year, APIC’s 46th annual conference was held in Philadelphia, PA, from June 12-14.

When considering purchasing new equipment and putting new processes in place, healthcare facilities always have to consider whether these changes will save money.

When reprocessing transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probes, sometimes the numerous steps can feel overwhelming

In recent years the development of single-use HLDs has introduced a new question: is single-use a better option than reusable?

Occupational exposure poses a real risk to employees at healthcare facilities and must be properly addressed in order to keep everyone in good health.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) place a huge financial burden on facilities, can have enormous impacts on a provider's reputation, and put financial and emotional strain on patients.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) place a huge financial burden on facilities, can have enormous impacts on a provider's reputation, and put financial and emotional strain on patients.

If a probe is not cleaned properly, it may result in biofilm developing on the probe, making disinfection difficult to achieve.

CS Medical is pleased to announce the release of another tool that will aide healthcare professionals in their fight to reduce healthcare associated infections.

November 14 - 17, 2018

CS Medical, LLC is pleased to announce the successful installation of over 170 TD 100 automated transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) probe disinfectors