The role of chiropractic treatment tables as potential reservoirs and vectors for horizontal transmission of nosocomial pathogens
- Authors: Perdijk, Jana
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Chiropractic - Equipment and supplies , Industrial hygiene , Pathogenic bacteria , Nosocomial infections - Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/268612 , uj:28516
- Description: M.Tech. (Chiropractic) , Abstract: OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of microbial pathogens (specifically bacterial and fungal pathogens) on the chiropractic treatment tables at the University of Johannesburg chiropractic-teaching clinic, as well as to assess the underlying attitudes and practices of the senior chiropractic students with respect to treatment table disinfection. METHODOLOGY Surface samples were taken using the bioMérieux Count-Tact® range and organisms were isolated and identified via the VITEK® 2 instrument. Defined portions on both the left and right hand side of the leather/vinyl components of the headrest, armrest, and thoraco-abdominal pieces from all the chiropractic treatment tables from the University of Johannesburg chiropractic-teaching clinic were sampled using Irradiated Count-Tact® 3PTM agar plates to isolate the potential pathogens. The samples were taken after the clinics’ normal hours of operation so that none of the patients, students, or clinicians were aware of the study and thus change their normal habits. Following the sample collection, all chiropractic students currently practicing in the clinic were asked to complete a short survey, with questions compiled from previous studies (Puhl et al., 2011). This survey was used to explore the attitudes and practices regarding table disinfection of these practicing students. RESULTS The overall response rate for the survey component of the study was 68% (42/62). Ninety-three percent of the students acknowledged the importance of disinfecting the treatment tables for the prevention of pathogen buildup, as it may pose a risk for nosocomial infection (95%)...
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Attitudes and behaviors of chiropractic students toward treatment table disinfection : results of initial survey
- Authors: Perdijk, Jana , Yelverton, Chris J. , Barnard, Tobias , Van der Loo, Clarissa
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/279818 , uj:30057 , Citation: Perdijk, J. et al. 2018. Attitudes and behaviors of chiropractic students toward treatment table disinfection : results of initial survey.
- Description: Abstract: The presence of pathogenic microbes on treatment tables is of concern when attempting infection control in chiropractic treatment rooms. Efforts to keep treatment surfaces clean and even sterile in many cases are common practice in hospitals but have only recently been a topic of research in chiropractic. The aim of this study was to survey the attitudes and current practices of the UJ chiropractic students regarding treatment table disinfecting measures. A 12-question anonymous survey was utilized in the study, and the responses were analyzed using SPSS 23.0. Ninety-five percent of the students concurred that the chiropractic treatment tables might serve as a fomite and 93% acknowledged the importance of disinfecting the treatment...
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