Assessment Of Ultrasound Equipment As A Possible Source Of Nosocomial Infection

Abstract

Background: Nosocomial infections have become an increasingly recognized problem in health
facilities and ultrasound equipment can be one of the sources for the spread of these infections.
This research is aimed at assessing the role of ultrasound equipment as a possible source of
nosocomial infections in radiodiagnostics centers in Anambra state and to identify the type of
micro-organism found on the equipment.
Method: This research involved swabbing of ultrasound probes (transabdominal and
transvaginal probes), ultrasound couches and ultrasound gel, of five radiodiagnosticcentres in
Anambra state. A total of thirty-six swab samples were collected aseptically from the surfaces of
ultrasound equipment before and after scanning and were taken to the laboratory for culture to
isolate any pathogens.
Results: The results from this study demonstrated that a number of organisms were found on the
ultrasound probes, couches and ultrasound gel. Organisms isolated include aerobic spore
formers, staphylococcus aurens, staphycoccocus epidermidis, coliform and a host of other
bacteria.
Conclusion: Ultrasound equipment is a possible source of nosocomial infection. Although a
wide spectrum of micro-organisms are found, the most common micro-organisms found on the
ultrasound equipment in this region include; S. aureus, S. epidemidis and pseudomonas
aeruginosa.