Question
Is it safe to re-use extra-tympanic ECoG electrodes?
Answer
This is an easy one. There is a need for infection control advice on this topic - since they cannot be re-used. This is an FDA regulated product and is approved for single use only. The FDA has put this restriction on the product for a couple of reasons. One, the tip of the electrode is covered with ''hydrogel''. This gel will be removed by disinfectants. Without the gel, the conductivity of the electrode is compromised and thus the results of the test are not true. Second, the gel provides a cushion. If the gel is absent, a wire is left exposed, and this can cause injury. Bottom Line --You cannot and should not re-use these electrodes.
BIO: Mr. Robert J. Kemp is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oaktree Products, Inc. in Chesterfield, MO. Oaktree Products, Inc. is a supplier of audiology and hearing aid supplies and the leading information source on infection control related to audiology. Mr. Kemp earned his B.S. in microbiology and a master's of Business Administration from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, MO. Prior to founding Oaktree Products, he spent 12 years in sales and marketing management in the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Kemp is a nationally recognized expert in the area of infection control and its implications in hearing healthcare environments. He is an adjunct instructor for several distance learning AuD programs in the area of infection control.
Robert J. Kemp, MBA
Related Courses
1https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/improving-ehdi-with-caeps-clinical-31492Improving EHDI with CAEPs: Clinical Assessment of the Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential in Children with Hearing LossThis course will provide an overview of cortical auditory evoked potentials, current research, benefits and limitations to using CAEPs in a busy clinic, and several case studies.auditory, textual, visual
'Very pragmatic presentation regarding the clinical applications of cortical auditory evoked potentials and the value in using this procedure for the assessment of infants and children'Read Reviews
This course will provide an overview of cortical auditory evoked potentials, current research, benefits and limitations to using CAEPs in a busy clinic, and several case studies.
2https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/infection-control-and-prevention-in-37391Infection Control and Prevention in Hearing Healthcare: Don't Wait for an OutbreakInfection control has long been considered an important issue in hearing healthcare because of the wide range of patients served and the nature of the services provided. Infection control extends beyond the common sense practices of hand washing and good housekeeping. New harmful microbes arise, old microbes reemerge, and as a profession we must remain vigilant and prepared to protect our patients, our practices, and ourselves from the infectious dangers now and next. This course will discuss the principles of infection control, outline standard precautions, and identify strategies to manage patient contact in times of outbreak for a hearing healthcare practice.auditory, textual, visual
Infection control has long been considered an important issue in hearing healthcare because of the wide range of patients served and the nature of the services provided. Infection control extends beyond the common sense practices of hand washing and good housekeeping. New harmful microbes arise, old microbes reemerge, and as a profession we must remain vigilant and prepared to protect our patients, our practices, and ourselves from the infectious dangers now and next. This course will discuss the principles of infection control, outline standard precautions, and identify strategies to manage patient contact in times of outbreak for a hearing healthcare practice.
3https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/what-s-new-in-otometrics-32529What's New in the Otometrics Bio-logic Line of Devices?This presentation will highlight new innovations in technology within the new generation Bio-logic devices. These technologies are meant to help to improve efficiency and also add to the armamentarium of tests that can be performed with one device. Technology that will be discussed will be for ABR, ASSR and DPOAEs. ABR topics will cover data collection from both ears at the same time and spread spectrum technology. ASSR will highlight mixed rate ASSR and DPOAE will showcase the use of an FM signal, binaural OAE, pressurized OAEs and threshold estimation software to estimate audiometric thresholds using DPOAEs.auditory, textual, visual
This presentation will highlight new innovations in technology within the new generation Bio-logic devices. These technologies are meant to help to improve efficiency and also add to the armamentarium of tests that can be performed with one device. Technology that will be discussed will be for ABR, ASSR and DPOAEs. ABR topics will cover data collection from both ears at the same time and spread spectrum technology. ASSR will highlight mixed rate ASSR and DPOAE will showcase the use of an FM signal, binaural OAE, pressurized OAEs and threshold estimation software to estimate audiometric thresholds using DPOAEs.
4https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/guide-to-bithermal-caloric-testing-815A Guide to Bithermal Caloric TestingThe purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth discussion of the caloric testing portion of the VNG/ENG test battery. Content will include descriptions of testing procedures, analysis and interpretation of results.auditory, textual, visual
The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth discussion of the caloric testing portion of the VNG/ENG test battery. Content will include descriptions of testing procedures, analysis and interpretation of results.
5https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/infection-control-precautions-prevention-and-34612Infection Control: Precautions, Prevention and Preparedness: Minimizing Risk of Infection in the Hearing Healthcare WorkplaceAs new diseases emerge and society becomes more mobile, the threat of disease spread in our professional workplaces is real and serious. By nature, hearing healthcare professionals interact frequently with vulnerable individuals, namely the elderly and very young. These individuals present in our practices with health conditions and other factors that place them at high risk for contracting or spreading infection. It is critical that hearing professionals are practicing in a manner that ensures the safety of themselves, staff and especially patients. This course will focus on how disease may spread in the professional workplace, the development and most importantly implementation of an exemplary infection control protocol, including ways to manage patient connections in times of outbreak.auditory, textual, visual
As new diseases emerge and society becomes more mobile, the threat of disease spread in our professional workplaces is real and serious. By nature, hearing healthcare professionals interact frequently with vulnerable individuals, namely the elderly and very young. These individuals present in our practices with health conditions and other factors that place them at high risk for contracting or spreading infection. It is critical that hearing professionals are practicing in a manner that ensures the safety of themselves, staff and especially patients. This course will focus on how disease may spread in the professional workplace, the development and most importantly implementation of an exemplary infection control protocol, including ways to manage patient connections in times of outbreak.