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Guidance

Ultrasound gel: good infection prevention practice

This is guidance on the safe use of ultrasound gel to reduce risk of transmission of infection during ultrasound and related procedures.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Health Security Agency
Published:
15 January 2021
Last updated:
30 January 2025
Show all updates

  1. Updated content.

  2. Added information on sterile gel use before invasive procedures and with ultrasound probe covers.

  3. Added latest update.

  4. Updated guidance on which type of ultrasound gel to use and when to use them. Added guidance on using non-sterile gel and discarding reusable bottles.

  5. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Good infection prevention practice: using ultrasound gel

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Details

Standard ultrasound gel is not produced as a sterile product, although sterile versions are available. This document provides guidance on the safe use of ultrasound gel to reduce the risk of transmission of infection arising from these products.

This replaces interim guidance first published by Public Health England (PHE) in January 2021 and is an outcome of close collaboration between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and key stakeholders with expertise relating to the use of ultrasound. This updated guidance clarifies the aims, implications and user groups targeted. It includes additional guidance on scenarios when sterile gel is recommended and which types of gel containers should be used.

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