Is my Ultrasound Gel safe and effective?
With concern around Ultrasound Gel safety, it is important to assess if your Ultrasound Gel is safe and effective for patient use.
Where is Ultrasound Gel Used?
When performing an Ultrasound, the Ultrasound Machine sends high-frequency sound waves at the internal body structures being assessed. This in turn will reflect sounds, or echoes which are used to create an image of the examined area. In order to send and receive these sound waves, an Ultrasound Probe is utilised.
When you consider the reasons that Ultrasounds are used for (such as investigating abdominal and pelvic organs, vascular and musculoskeletal systems and monitoring foetal development during pregnancy), you will know that it is vitally important to have a clear image. This can come down to multiple factors; patient preparation as guided by the Doctor and correct ultrasound procedure by the Sonographer.
Ultrasound gel is crucial for providing better contact between the body and the Ultrasound probe, resulting in the clearest results possible for analysis and diagnosis.
What makes a good Ultrasound Gel?
Ultrasound Gel consistencies vary a lot between brands, making it difficult to determining whether you are buying a quality Ultrasound Gel. Ultrasound Gel viscosity is an important factor to consider when paying for Ultrasound Gel. Brands such as Logiscan Ultrasound Gel has a high viscosity, meaning that it is ideal for use with leading medical ultrasound equipment as it isn’t ‘runny’. Essentially, this means that you have a stable gel that won’t ‘run’ over the patient due to its thickness. You’ll also use less Gel during the procedure. The unique formula of Logiscan means that it is also acoustically correct for the broad range of frequencies used by ultrasound equipment. This makes it ideal for use with leading medical ultrasound equipment worldwide.
Do you consider Ultrasound Gel Safety?
Being a product that comes into contact with the skin, it is important to ensure that the Ultrasound Gel you are using comes from a reputable manufacturer that has stringent protocols around contamination. Ultrasound Gels can (and have been) recalled in the past due to bacterial contamination which can pose a very serious risk to certain vulnerable people.
Ensure that your Ultrasound Gel manufacture adheres to the strict quality control/infection control guidelines and also meets protocols for Antimicrobial Preservative Effectiveness.
Choosing the right Ultrasound Gel:
- Check the consistency of your Ultrasound Gel. Are you happy with the thickness or would you like to try something with a higher viscosity?
- Ensure that your Ultrasound Gel manufacture adheres to the strict quality control/infection control guidelines and also meets protocols for Antimicrobial Preservative Effectiveness.
- Other points to consider are whether it is non-irritating, non-sensitising and also whether it will stain. Many Ultrasound Gels will stain clothes, which is annoying to say the least.
P.S
Medilogic are a supplier of Ultrasound Consumables to Imaging facilities and Specialist Australia wide. We stock leading Ultrasound Gel products from reputable Manufacturers in the USA. Visit the Ultrasound Gel Page by clicking on the link below.