The UK Health Security Agency has released updated guidance on preventing infection when using ultrasound gel, following an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis (B. stabilis) late last year which led to a recall of contaminated ultrasound gel.
Entitled 'Good infection prevention practice: using ultrasound gel,’ the document is available on the Gov.uk website here. This new version replaces previous guidance that was published by the UK Health Security Agency on 10 November 2021. It is the result of a collaboration between the UK Health Security Agency and stakeholders, including the Society of Radiographers.
The updated guidance provides additional clarity around scenarios where sterile and non-sterile ultrasound gel should be used, how ultrasound gel should be used to ensure maximum safety, and what types of gel containers should be used. It also includes a decision tree to help practitioners choose whether to use sterile or non-sterile gel.
New guidance follows recent outbreak
Mainly, the target group for this guidance is anyone that uses ultrasound gel in a healthcare context. This includes healthcare service providers, managers and commissioners that offer ultrasound services. While the guidance is for all settings where ultrasound gel is used, it is particularly important in situations where vulnerable patient groups may be impacted, such as inpatient settings.
The UK Health Security Agency recommends that the new guidance should be used in conjunction with both the National infection prevention and control manual (NIPCM) for England and the Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections.
The updated guidance comes after the UK Health Security Agency and the Healthcare Associated Infections reference laboratory detected a geographically dispersed cluster of B. stabilis in October last year. In total, there were six confirmed and one probable case as of 16 January 2025.
Upon further investigation, contaminated ultrasound gel was identified as being the source of the outbreak. There have been no new confirmed cases since 2 October 2024.