Universal precautions for blood and body fluid contact are basic to infection control guidelines. Medical personnel are required to follow a planned infection control protocol within their departments. The handling of patients, supplies, and equipment in sonography involves applying the appropriate protocol for the particular situation. The infection control protocol at St. Joseph's Hospital, Pheonix, Arizona is reviewed and applied to all aspects of clinical ultrasound. Infection control in ultrasound begins with sonographers, and their goal should be to prevent contamination and to restrict the spread of disease.
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