CLEAR: A Novel Approach to Ultrasound Equipment Homeostasis

Michael I. Prats, Bret P. Nelson, Delia L. Gold, Lauren D. Branditz, Creagh T. Boulger, David P. Bahner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Protocols for the sanitation and maintenance of point-of-care ultrasound (US) equipment are lacking. This study introduces the CLEAR protocol (clean, locate, energize, augment supplies, and remove patient identifiers) as a tool to improve the readiness of US equipment, termed US equipment homeostasis. The state of US equipment homeostasis in the emergency department of a single academic center was investigated before and after implementing this protocol, with an improvement in outcomes. These findings demonstrate that the CLEAR protocol can improve US homeostasis. CLEAR can function as a teaching tool to promote homeostasis as well as a checklist to assess compliance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)767-773
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine
Volume38
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2019

Keywords

  • education
  • equipment maintenance
  • point-of-care ultrasound
  • safety

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