Assessment of ultrasound equipment as a possible source of nosocomial infection in Lagos state hospitals and radio-diagnostic centres

A Systematic Review of Healthcare-Associated Infectious Organisms in Medical Radiation Science Departments

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant occupational risk to medical radiation science (MRS) professionals, who have a high degree of patient contact. Current research largely focusses on HAIs in patients, with limited attention given to infectious organisms that MRS professionals are exposed to. This is a significant gap that this systematic review seeks to address by summarizing current literature to determine the infectious organisms within MRS departments, their reservoirs, and transmission modes. Reporting of this systematic review follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Five databases were searched (Scopus, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)) for relevant studies published between 1983 and 2018. Quality assessment was performed using checklists from the Johanna Briggs Institute. Nineteen studies were included in the review; twelve of which were set in diagnostic radiography departments, two in radiotherapy departments, and five in non-MRS departments. No studies were set in nuclear medicine departments, indicating a gap in the available literature. A total of 19 genera of infectious organisms were identified in the literature, with Staphylococcus, Escherichia, Bacillus, and Corynebacterium reported in all MRS departments. Infectious organisms were identified in all observational studies, indicating a need for better infection control methods and/or compliance training within MRS to minimize the risk of infections.

Barriers and facilitators to standardization of ultrasound use and probe disinfection in the ambulatory setting

To determine barriers and facilitators to standardization of ultrasound probe disinfection at ambulatory sites, we conducted observations and interviews of staff. Variability was noted in disinfection practices and in the use of protective equipment even for procedures with the potential for the probe to contact sterile tissues. Standardization is needed.

Glow Powder: See the Germs? An Innovative Teaching Technique in a Student Sonography Laboratory

The purpose of this study was to compare the disinfection rate of a laboratory environment before and after glow powder exposure and training of sonography students (n = 23) and establish if glow powder was an effective teaching technique for infection protection and control (IPC). Fourteen locations at four scanning stations were contaminated with glow powder, visible under ultraviolet light. Students were shown contaminated areas and debriefed on the importance of disinfection. This activity was repeated to ascertain effectiveness of the training. In total, 204 areas were examined for contamination. Observation 1 revealed 21 locations (30.8%), and observation 2 detected glow powder on 12 locations (17.6%). Overall decrease in contamination rate was 13%. The gel bottle was the most frequently contaminated. The curved 3.5-MHz transducer was consistently cleaned. Disinfectant spray, time gain compensation, bed, stool, screen, and handles of the machine remained contaminated. Students’ IPC increased significantly after glow powder training, and secondary spread was reduced by 16%.