Exploring radiographers' practice and decision-making relating to infection prevention and control in the CT environment: An observation study in a simulated environment.

IF 3.8 3区医学 Q2 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

American journal of infection control Pub Date : 2025-04-30 DOI:10.1016/j.ajic.2025.04.012

Yobelli Alexandra Jimenez, Suzanne Hill, Sarah Lewis, Dania Abu Awwad

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Contrast media use is high in computed tomography (CT). This study aimed to explore radiographers' decision-making process when using contrast media injectors in the CT environment, with a focus on infection prevention and control (IPC).

Methods: A qualitative study using observation within a think-aloud methodology in a simulated environment was undertaken. Participants performed all the steps to undertake a contrast-enhanced CT scan, while verbalizing their actions and process.

Results: CT radiographers (n=20) participated in this study. Variations were observed across all stages of CT scanning. Gloves were used by a large proportion of participants while connecting the patient (n=16, 80%), followed by disconnecting from the patient (n=18, 90%).

Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to map steps and explore radiographers' decision-making relating to contrast-enhanced CT procedures. Justification of practice centered around patient care and self-protection factors, using routine IPC practice and awareness of IPC risks.

Conclusions: There was inconsistency between participants in terms of workflow and order of steps setting up a patient in CT, along with variations in IPC practices. The lack of universal guidelines specific to IPC in CT has manifested as variations in practice across CT departments.

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探讨CT环境下与感染预防和控制有关的放射技师的实践和决策：模拟环境中的观察研究。

背景：造影剂在计算机断层扫描（CT）中的使用率很高。本研究旨在探讨放射技师在CT环境中使用造影剂注射器时的决策过程，重点是感染预防和控制（IPC）。方法：在模拟环境中进行了一项定性研究，采用了有声思考方法进行观察。参与者完成了进行对比增强CT扫描的所有步骤，同时用语言描述他们的动作和过程。结果：20名CT放射技师参与了本研究。在CT扫描的各个阶段观察到变化。大部分参与者在连接患者时使用手套（n=16, 80%），然后断开与患者的连接（n=18, 90%）。讨论：据我们所知，这是第一个绘制步骤的研究，并探讨了与对比增强CT手术有关的放射技师的决策。以患者护理和自我保护因素为中心，利用常规IPC实践和IPC风险意识来证明实践的合理性。结论：参与者在CT中建立患者的工作流程和步骤顺序方面存在不一致，IPC实践也存在差异。缺乏针对CT中IPC的通用指南，表现为各CT部门在实践中的差异。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

American journal of infection control 医学-传染病学

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

4.10%

发文量

479

审稿时长

24 days

期刊介绍： AJIC covers key topics and issues in infection control and epidemiology. Infection control professionals, including physicians, nurses, and epidemiologists, rely on AJIC for peer-reviewed articles covering clinical topics as well as original research. As the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)