Survival of bacterial pathogens on vinyl chiropractic treatment beds
- Authors: Kruger, Marni
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Chiropractic , Industrial hygiene , Pathogenic bacteria
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/231481 , uj:23583
- Description: M.Tech. (Chiropractic) , Abstract: Purpose: This research study was to determine the bacterial survival of bacterial strains associated with human infections on vinyl chiropractic treatment beds, with and without disinfection. Method: Bacterial survival kinetics was used to determine the effect of natural, versus disinfection related die-off of the bacteria on vinyl chiropractic treatment beds. Procedure: The study made use of three portable, vinyl chiropractic treatment beds, that was placed in an isolated room on campus. These beds were divided into six blocks using masking tape, signifying the three interventions tested and their controls. The blocks were further divided into four blocks, for the four time intervals tested. Four bacterial strains, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were applied to the beds, one strain per day, water, alcohol and a soap based product was used to clean and disinfect three of the blocks, the others were used as a control and to monitor the natural die-off of the strains. All data were recorded by the researcher and analysed by Statkon. Results: The results indicated that there is no observable decrease in bacterial numbers over a six-hour period if no intervention is applied to the beds. The study also showed that alcohol and Distel are both equally effective disinfectants for vinyl chiropractic treatment beds. Both of them proved to cause a three-log10 reduction within five minutes, with no bacterial growth in six hours. Conclusion: Alcohol and Distel both proved to be effective disinfectants on these types of beds. Since there is no observable decrease of bacterial numbers over six hours, a cleaning and disinfection protocol for the vinyl chiropractic treatment beds is important to lower the risk of infection of...
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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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