Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Background Following research was done in the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Clinic (UJCC). Distel High-Level surface disinfectant was introduced for the routine disinfection of the chiropractic treatment beds. Research has shown that microorganisms have adapted to environmental stressors, like antibiotics and cleaning materials (disinfectants) and microbial adaptation can occur with excessive and ineffective use of disinfectant. It is therefore important to monitor that this does not happen in the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Clinic (UJCC) to ensure patient and student safety. Aim The aim of this research study was to investigate if the microorganisms present on the treatment beds at the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Clinic (UJCC) are adapting or becoming resistant to the use of Distel High-Level disinfectant. This descriptive, exploratory longitudinal research study consisted of two phases. Phase 1, the monitoring of the treatment beds for the presence of microorganisms using ATP surface testing. Phase 2, isolation and identification of bacteria and or fungi showing resistance to the Distel High-Level disinfectant, if results from phase 1 show high microbial loads on the treatment beds at the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Clinic. Method During Phase 1 the right hand and right thorax piece’s of the chiropractic treatment beds (N=15) -used during normal clinic hours- were monitored using the Hygiena™ UltraSnap™ ATP surface test and Hygiena™ SystemSURE Plus luminometer for the presence of microorganisms over a five week period. The ATP (adenosine triphosphate) tests that indicated the presence of high microbial loads measured in Relative Light Units (RLU) were sampled using matched RODAC (Replicate Organism Detection and Counting) agar plate samples (Phase 2). The matched RODAC agar plate samples consisted of a normal (TSA, Trypticase Soya Agar) RODAC agar plate...