Contamination of Interventional Radiology Lead Aprons by Nosocomial Pathogens : Journals on Medical Informatics
Lead radiation protection aprons and neck/thyroid shields are used by hospital personnel in rooms where ionizing radiation is present. These methods of radiation protection are used in the catheter lab by personnel such as interventional radiologists and interventional cardiologists who often perform procedures upon immunocompromised patients who are at increased risk for acquiring hospital acquired infections (HAI). In the United Kingdom, HAI constitute a substantial financial burden up to 1000 million euro per year [1]. Patients with HAI remain in the hospital 2.5 times longer and incur higher personal costs than patients without [2]. Since these radiation protective aprons are cleaned infrequently, they serve as a possible source of HAI. Studies have shown that white coats and ties [3–6] are a reservoir for colonies of pathogens to grow and spread nosocomial infections. However, no study has been done to show whether lead shields that are worn by hospital personal, especially ones in the IR catheter labs, can be a source of nosocomial infection to their daily contacted patients and to themselves. Our study will address what types of pathogens grow on protective lead aprons and collars. Potential implications of this study include whether or not a policy should be proposed regarding protective lead maintenance and disinfection.
For more BJSTR Journals please click on: https://biomedres.us/index.php
For more Biomedical Open Access Journals on BJSTR