Annals of emergency medicine
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We evaluate the frequency of emergency department (ED) ultrasonographic probe contamination and the bacterial species involved and evaluate probe cleaning and disinfection methods. ⋯ Skin and environmental flora are commonly present on ultrasonographic probes between patient encounters in our ED; however, clinically important pathogens are uncommon. S aureus (including MRSA) frequently contaminates uncovered probes during skin and soft tissue infection scanning, but in an experimental model, MRSA appears to be reliably removed by a quaternary ammonia germicidal wipe if the probe is partially cleaned first.