Importance of Infection Control During Ultrasonography

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections. This research aims to compare different hand hygiene methods and their effects on bacterial patterns on the hands.

Methods/Statistical analysis: The bacterial reduction rates before and after the use of plain soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and hand sanitizing wipes were compared in five sonographers. Hand-shaped bacterial plate kits were used to collect the pathogens. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The bacterial colonies were then transferred to a blood agar medium and gram stained. The colonies were then identified using the VITEK ll system.

Findings: The colony forming units (CFUs) before and after handwashing with plain soap and water were 500 and 176, respectively. Upon converting these values to percentages, the bacterial reduction rate was 65% (0.04 < p). With alcohol-based hand sanitizer, the CFUs before and after handwashing were 443 and 240, respectively. Converting this to a percentage, the bacterial reduction rate was 44% (0.01 < p). With the use of hand sanitizing wipes, the CFUs before and after handwashing were 350 and 60, respectively. Converting this to a percentage, the bacterial reduction rate was 82% (0.02 < p).

Improvements/Applications: The study demonstrated that hand sanitizing wipes have the greatest antibacterial effects. Therefore, the use of hand sanitizing wipes could prevent infections and improve the safety of the ultrasound environment.