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Published on: May 13, 2020
Microbiologic contamination of automatic injectors at MDCT: experimental and clinical investigations
Boris Buerke1, Alexander Mellmann, Christoph Stehling
1Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 33, 48149 Muenster, Germany. buerkeb@uni-muenster.de
Objective:
It is mandatory to teach antiseptic skills to staff who use contrast agent injectors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in an experimental setting and in clinical routine the risk of microbiologic contamination of the syringes of injectors used to administer contrast agent and saline solution for MDCT.
Materials And Methods:
Microbiologic contamination of CT injector syringes over multiple uses for several injections was investigated in an experimental setup simulating the clinical setting. Each refill and injection operation was performed by the same technician, who processed a contrast agent for administration in a neighboring room as in clinical CT routine. Multiple administrations of nutritive medium and a chaser bolus were performed with the injection syringes. Simultaneously with each syringe replacement and filling operation, the filling and injection operation was simulated with a separate injection system under normal clinical conditions. Hygienic conditions in the CT department also were evaluated. For microbiologic analysis of devices and of palms of staff, imprints were obtained during clinical routine at the beginning of the study and at follow-up. Throughout the study, the staff participated in continuing education on hygienic behavior, such as hand disinfection and wearing of sterile gloves. In addition, clinical injector syringes were checked for microbiologic contamination.
Results:
In the experimental setup, the first four samples of each simulation experiment were sterile, and the subsequent probes were found to be contaminated with typical dermal bacteria, such as staphylococci. In the CT department, contamination with skin and oral flora was found on surfaces of devices and on palms. No imprint of surfaces or palms was contaminated with nosocomial or fecal pathogens.
Conclusion:
Because even optimization of environments does not prevent contamination of syringes, multiple uses of syringes for more than one patient should be prohibited owing to the risk of septic complications.
Insights
Multiple uses of contrast agent injector syringes in MDCT can lead to bacterial contamination, posing a risk of septic complications. To ensure patient safety, single-use syringes are recommended, even with optimized hygiene protocols.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Infection Control
- Radiology
Background:
- Antiseptic skills are crucial for staff using contrast agent injectors.
- Microbiologic contamination of injector syringes is a potential risk in MDCT procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the risk of microbiologic contamination of contrast agent and saline solution injector syringes.
- To assess contamination in both experimental and clinical settings during MDCT procedures.
Main Methods:
- Simulated clinical setting to investigate contamination of CT injector syringes over multiple uses.
- Microbiologic analysis of devices and staff palms via imprints during clinical routine.
- Evaluation of hygienic conditions and staff training on antiseptic behaviors.
Main Results:
- Experimental simulations showed initial sterility followed by contamination with dermal bacteria (staphylococci).
- Clinical settings revealed contamination with skin and oral flora on devices and staff palms.
- No nosocomial or fecal pathogens were detected on surfaces or palms.
Conclusions:
- Environmental optimization alone does not prevent syringe contamination.
- Prohibiting multiple uses of syringes for different patients is essential.
- Single-patient use of syringes minimizes the risk of septic complications.
