Interferential therapy machines as possible vehicles for cross-infection

Lambert, Isabelle; Tebbs, S. E.; Hill, David M.; Moss, Helen; Davies, A.C.; Elliott, Tom

doi:10.1053/jhin.1999.0647

Cited by 32 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, only three studies sampled equipment used in the community setting. 6,8,16 This is of concern given the increasing shift towards community-based care and the potential for equipment used in the community setting to result in significant NI. If the incidence of NI is to be reduced, further research into the role of equipment used in the community setting is needed.…”

Section: Methodological Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14,15 The number of cfus present on sampled equipment ranged from zero to greater than 500, with a pooled mean of 82.1 cfus/sample. 9,11,16,17 In addition, 27% of all organisms were identified as the potentially pathogenic S. aureus, and of these isolates, 15% were multidrug resistant. In addition, significant numbers of other potential pathogens, including Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp.…”

Section: Levels Of Contamination On Healthcare Equipmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Healthcare equipment as a source of nosocomial infection: a systematic review

Schabrun

Chipchase

2006

Journal of Hospital Infection

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Methodological Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Levels Of Contamination On Healthcare Equipmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthcare equipment as a source of nosocomial infection: a systematic review

Schabrun

Chipchase

2006

Journal of Hospital Infection

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…In interferential current therapy, too possibilities of microbial infections and cross infections between patients were reported 9) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isolation Frequency and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Physical Therapeutic Instruments in General Hospitals

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract.[Purpose] As demands for physical therapy increase, the numbers of patients in physical therapy rooms are rapidly increasing. However, studies on the state of microorganism infections of physical therapy equipment and their effects on hospital-acquired infections are currently lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of infections of physical therapy rooms by pathogenic microorganisms.[Methods] Facilities in physical therapy rooms were divided into three groups, therapeutic environments, wet therapeutic equipment, and dry therapeutic equipment, to check the degree of microbial infection and to conduct antimicrobial susceptibility tests on microorganisms that could be isolated.[Results] The main microorganisms isolated from the therapeutic environments were Staphylococcus spp., including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and 20% of these isolates were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). From the wet therapeutic equipment, Acinetobacter spp., including Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) and A. lowffii, were the primary isolates and 25% of these isolated bacteria were also identified as multi-drug resistant forms. No microorganism was detected from moist hot packs or hot pack units. Diverse bacterial strains were isolated from dry therapeutic equipment, but the isolation rate of Staphylococcus spp. was a little higher than that of other strains.[Conclusion] Our result suggests the possibility of hospital-acquired infection in physical therapy rooms could be very high. Strict hygiene management systems should be established in order to reduce hospital infection during physical therapy.

show abstract

“…These modalities include heat, cold, pressure, sound, electromagnetic radiation, and electrical current1 ) . The numerous electrotherapy machines in existence include ultrasound, interferential (IF) therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and electrical stimulation (ES)2 ) . Most of these machines provide direct contact via electrodes through a medium such as gel and wet sponges2 ) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The numerous electrotherapy machines in existence include ultrasound, interferential (IF) therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and electrical stimulation (ES)2 ) . Most of these machines provide direct contact via electrodes through a medium such as gel and wet sponges2 ) . Medical devices applied directly to the patient’s skin such as stethoscopes, welsh cup electrodes, ultrasound probes, electrography leads, electrography wires, and IF machines may facilitate the transmission of microorganisms from one patient to another2,3,4 ) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacterial contamination in physical therapy departments in the State of Kuwait

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

[Purpose] Interferential therapy and electrical stimulation are electrophysical modalities commonly used in physical therapy departments to treat patients with musculoskeletal problems. These machines are applied directly to the patient’s skin via a medium or electrodes, which can facilitate the transmission of microorganisms from one patient to another. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of microorganism contamination in the machines sponges at physical therapy departments in Kuwait hospitals. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty samples comprising sponges from interferential therapy and electrical stimulation machines, and water from hot pack units were collected from 5 physical therapy departments in 5 different hospitals. The samples were analyzed at a Medical Laboratory to explore the extent and type of microorganisms present. [Results] Forty-one of the 60 samples (68.3%) were positive for microorganism contamination. Of the 41 contaminated samples, 28 (68.3%) were sponges and 13 (31.7%) were water samples. The major microorganisms found were Acinetobacter baumannii (21.9%), Serratia marcescens (12.2%), and Staphylococcus lentus (7.3%). [Conclusion] Interferential therapy and electrical stimulation in physical therapy departments have a high probability of causing cross contamination between patients. Physical therapists are encouraged to adhere to safety guidelines, such as disinfection management, disposal of used sponges, and regular sponge replacement.

show abstract

Interferential therapy machines as possible vehicles for cross-infection

Cited by 32 publications

References 10 publications

Healthcare equipment as a source of nosocomial infection: a systematic review

Healthcare equipment as a source of nosocomial infection: a systematic review

Isolation Frequency and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Physical Therapeutic Instruments in General Hospitals

Bacterial contamination in physical therapy departments in the State of Kuwait

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About