Patient Safety During Tee Studies - Philips EPIQ 7 User Manual

Transesophageal Transducers

Patient Safety During TEE Studies

Philips recommends that you practice using the TEE transducer controls before performing any
procedure mentioned here. You must also be thoroughly familiar with the safe operation, care,
and maintenance of the ultrasound imaging system used with the TEE transducer, as well as
proficient at interpreting the images generated.
You can help ensure patient safety when using a TEE transducer by following these guidelines:
• Have a backup system present during TEE exams to ensure completion of the exam in the
event that the primary system fails.
• Use informed judgment when selecting patients for TEE studies. See
TEE Transducer Use" on page
• Verbally prepare each patient for the procedure before the study. See "Preparing Patients
for TEE Studies" in the Help.
• Scrutinize the entire transducer, turn on the system, and test all of the transducer controls
and related system controls, before inserting the TEE transducer into the patient's
esophagus. See
• Insert, remove, and operate the transducer properly.
• Ensure that the transducer handle does not rest on or touch the patient.
• Use protective equipment, such as a bite guard and a market-approved sterile transducer
cover during a TEE study. See
• Do not allow water or other liquids to come in contact with the interior of the system, the
interior of the transducer connector, the inside of the transducer control handle, or to drip
onto the keyboard.
• Minimize the possibility of transducer tip fold-over. This problem has occurred rarely, but
its consequences can be serious. See
To prevent tissue damage such as pressure necrosis, gastroesophageal lacerations, bleeding,
tearing of adhesions, ligament damage, and perforation, observe the following warnings and
cautions.
WARNING
Never apply excessive force when inserting or withdrawing a TEE transducer, or when
operating the transducer deflection controls.
200
224.
"Checking the TEE Transducer" on page
"TEE Accessories and Supplies" on page
"Tip Fold-Over" on page
Patient Safety During TEE Studies
"Patient Selection for
223.
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