RT's using US for ABG's

[DAVID LONGSETH]

Similar to the 'phlebotomists using US'  but different enough for another 
thread.
A couple of our RT's are interested in using US for ABG's. The training and 
competencies shouldn't be too hard to do,and they have access to a Site-Rite 
2. What I'd like to do is a pre-audit of palpation ABG's in terms of time to 
get the sample and # of sticks,then train a few in US guidance and then see 
how the times,sticks to pt. and materials used compare.
Now,the one thing that I still can't decide is whether to have them use a 
sterile sleeve over the probe or not. Drawing ABG's is not a sterile 
procedure per se,so my instinct is to have them disinfect the probe before 
and after the stick but maybe someone out there has other views.
Thaks for any input,
David