Abstract

The control panel of x-ray equipment is exposed to contamination from the radiographer during routine use, hence the need for constant disinfection. Older x-ray equipment designs have a control knob design (CKD), while newer designs have soft touch buttons or touch screens (STB). The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate at which nosocomial infection accumulates in each control panel design type by taking swab samples during routine working hours of the control panel and tube handle of CDK and STB type of equipment. This may be helpful in determining which design type is prone to nosocomial infection transmission. A prospective and experimental study of two different hospitals with similar workflow but with the two different equipment design types that were conveniently. Before the commencement of radiographic examinations for the day, the control panel and x-ray knob were disinfected, and the first swab was taken. After a patient was attended to, the second swab was taken, and the equipment disinfected. The procedure was repeated for a total of 15 patients, making a total of 30 swabs. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and Fisher’s exact test at α = 0.05. Sixty swab samples were taking in total out of which 63.3% (n = 38) showed significant bacterial growth. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest bacteria isolated. With progressive use, STB equipment accumulated bacterial infection at a significantly higher rate than CKD equipment. The STB equipment is prone to accumulating infection at a higher rate when compared to the CKD. This may be due to the larger surface area of the FPD. Though adequate disinfection procedures need to be observed when using both STB and CKD type of control panel and tube handle types, the radiographer should increase disinfection procedures for STB type of equipment.

Keywords: Nosocomial infection, equipment design, Staphylococcus aureus, disinfection, radiography