Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus and hyperglycemia in pregnancy with the glucose challenge test administered in early pregnancy.

Objective: To determine the cut-off value for the 75-g glucose challenge test administered in early pregnancy to screen for gestational diabetes mellitus and abnormal carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy.

Methods: A prospective study involving 1500 antenatal patients attending a community hospital. Patients were screened with the 75-g 1-h glucose challenge test in early pregnancy and subsequently tested with the 75-g 2-h glucose tolerance test to diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus.

The importance of infection prevention and control in medical ultrasound.

Infection control and prevention is critical to delivering safe and high-quality care to patients undergoing sonographic procedures. In Australia comprehensive standards for reprocessing of ultrasound probes are based on the AS/NZS, TGA and ASUM recommendations. These standards align with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

Reducing transmission risk through high-level disinfection of transvaginal ultrasound transducer handles.

Intracavity ultrasound transducer handles are not routinely immersed in liquid high-level disinfectants. We show that residual bacteria, including pathogens, persist on more than 80% of handles that are not disinfected, whereas use of an automated device reduces contamination to background levels. Clinical staff should consider the need for handle disinfection.