Cloth-covered chiropractic treatment tables as a source of allergens and pathogenic microbes

Abstract

Objective: Vinyl chiropractic tables have been found to harbor pathogenic bacteria, but wiping with a simple disinfection agent can significantly reduce the risk of bacteria. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of microbes and other allergens or pathogens on cloth chiropractic tables. Methods: Cloth-covered tables in a chiropractic college teaching clinic were selected. Samples were taken from the facial piece and hand rests with RODAC plates containing nutrient agar, followed by confirmatory testing when indicated. Results: Numerous microbacteria strains were found, including Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium. Allergen-producing molds, including Candida, were also found. Conclusion: Cloth tables were shown to contain pathogenic microbacteria and allergens. The chiropractic profession should establish an infection control protocol relevant to treatment tables and discard use of cloth-covered treatment tables in this process.

The Impact of Microbial Surveys on Disinfection Protocols in a Chiropractic College Environment

“…11 The most recent study was conducted on cloth-covered chiropractic tables and found that these tables are a source of not only bacteria but allergens as well. 12 These studies highlight the need for infection control policies in chiropractic settings.…”

A proposed protocol for hand and table sanitizing in chiropractic clinics and education institutions

“…Our literature search found 4 articles published on microbial analysis of chiropractic treatment table surfaces [5][6][7][8] ; 1 article on attitudes, beliefs, and current practices of students on hand hygiene and table sanitizing in chiropractic 13 ; and 1 poster presentation on the attitudes, beliefs, and current practices presented at the American Public Health Association's Conference in 2007. 14 In addition, one presentation at the 2008 Association of Chiropractic College's Research Agenda Conference was made on the topic of microbes on treatment tables along with a successful surveillance system and management effort to reduce risks.…”

“…Samples were taken from all cloth-covered tables located in the clinic, which were limited to student and family use, using a Rodac plate (Becton, Dickinson, Sparks, MD) containing nutrient agar. 8 Confirmatory testing of specific cultures verified the presence of numerous allergens including the genus Candida, bacteria, and other general molds. Among the bacteria was S aureus.…”

“…4 Previous assessments of chiropractic treatment tables in teaching clinics, although few in number, have found pathogenic microbes and allergens on table surfaces. [5][6][7][8][9] Hand hygiene and proper surface sanitizing are known to reduce the spread of pathogenic microbes in health care settings as well as reduce the presence of surface pathogens on treatment tables. 5,7,[9][10][11][12] The purpose of this article is to present a proposed guideline for hand and treatment table surface sanitizing for the chiropractic profession that is evidence-based and can easily be adopted by teaching institutions and doctors in the field.…”

Hand Hygiene and Treatment Table Sanitizing in Chiropractic Teaching Institutions: Results of an Education Intervention to Increase Compliance

“…13 Investigations of treatment table surfaces in chiropractic teaching clinics have shown pathogenic microbes in multiple teaching clinics within the United States. [14][15][16][17][18] Attitudes and current practices of students and interns have been assessed in at least 2 teaching institutions with indications that additional education is needed. 19,20 In most cases, table sanitizing was reportedly not being performed because nothing was available with which to sanitize the table and no protocols or policies were in effect to guide such a process.…”