TITLE:
Radiographic Equipment and Accessories as a Potential Source of Nosocomial Infection
AUTHORS:
Lina Fahmi Hammad, Essam Hussain Mattar, Hanadi Talal Ahmedah, Mohamed Zain, Shamweel Ahmad, Hiba Shamweel
KEYWORDS:
Diagnostic Imaging Department, Nosocomial Infection, Radiographic Accessories, Radiographic Equipment
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Radiology,
Vol.14 No.3,
September
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Nosocomial infections have become a major challenge in healthcare facilities as they affect the quality of medical care. Radiological imaging plays a crucial role in medical diagnosis. However, the equipment and accessories used increase the risk of transmission of nosocomial bacteria. Objective: This study aims to reveal the extent and nature of microbiological contamination in four hospital diagnostic imaging departments to determine their potential role in the spread of nosocomial bacteria and to evaluate the effectiveness of routine daily disinfection practices in controlling microorganisms in diagnostic imaging departments. Methods & Results: In each department, swabs were taken from the surfaces of selected parts of the equipment and accessories three times a day (early morning, noon, and evening) for five consecutive days. Bacteria were isolated from 65 swabs (36.1% of all samples). The bacteria were isolated 3 times (4.6%) in the morning, 16 times (24.6%) at midday, and 46 times (70.7%) in the evening. The bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli (isolated 34 times; 52.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (20 times; 30.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (6 times; 9.3%), and Klebsiella species (5 times; 7.7%). Discussion & Conclusion: Findings demonstrated that radiology equipment and accessories are not free of bacteria and further improvements in the sterilization and disinfection of radiology equipment and accessories are needed to protect staff and patients from nosocomial infections.