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Microbial Contamination Risk and Disinfection of Radiation Protective Garments.
Balter, Stephen; Rodriguez, Michelle A; Pike, Janett A; Kleiman, Norman J.
  • Balter S; Departments of Radiology and Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons Columbia University, New York, NY 10032.
  • Rodriguez MA; City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy New York, NY 10027.
  • Pike JA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University, New York, NY 10032.
  • Kleiman NJ; Infection Prevention & Control New York-Presbyterian Hospital New York, NY 10032.
Health Phys ; 120(2): 123-130, 2021 02 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-998521
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Healthcare-associated infections are a major public health concern for both patients and medical personnel. This has taken on greater urgency during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Radiation Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) may contribute to risks of microbial contamination. This possibility was tested in 61 personal or shared-use lead aprons and thyroid collars at Columbia Presbyterian Irving Medical Center. Fifty percent tested positive for either bacterial or fungal contamination, mostly around the neckline of lead vests and thyroid collars. Repeated testing of garments some weeks to months later confirmed continued presence of microbial contamination. The possibility that hospital-approved disinfection agents could degrade the radio-protective features of these garments was also examined. Samples of identical construction to garments in regular use were subjected to either daily or weekly wipes with hypochlorite or alcohol-based hospital-approved cleaning agents for 6 mo. A third group of samples was maintained in contact with the cleaning agents for 6 mo. All samples were fluoroscoped four times during the study. None demonstrated any degradation in radioprotection. All samples were photographed monthly. Physical degradation of the outer plastic covering by concentrated hypochlorite and limited mechanical damage around stitched seams of the samples cleaned daily with alcohol was noted. Based on the high prevalence of microbial contamination, regular cleaning and disinfection protocols should be implemented. Regular cleaning with medical-facility-approved cleaning and disinfecting agents is likely to be effective at reducing the microbial load and unlikely to result in significant reduction in radioprotective properties of these garments.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Protective Clothing / Radiation Protection / Disinfection / Cross Infection Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Health Phys Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Protective Clothing / Radiation Protection / Disinfection / Cross Infection Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Health Phys Year: 2021 Document Type: Article