Research Study on the Effects of Disinfectants on Medical Images and Medical Equipment in Infection Control Measures

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiological Technology Vol. 80; no. 6; pp. 649 - 657
• Main Authors: Taura, Masaaki, Araki, Takahiro, Kobayashi, Takayuki, Matsuta, Natsue, Akagi, Nobuhiro, Tateishi, Toshiki, Kanazawa, Tsutomu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Japanese Society of Radiological Technology 01.01.2024; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Antiseptics; Cleaning; Cleaning systems; Computed tomography; Control equipment; Disinfectants; Disinfection & disinfectants; effects of disinfectants; Image processing; infection control measures; Infectious diseases; Mammography; Medical devices; Medical equipment; medical images and medical equipment; Medical imaging; Medical research; Medical technology; Nonlinear systems; Questionnaires; Statistical analysis; Surveys; Teaching methods; infection control measures; medical images and medical equipment; effects of disinfectants
• ISSN: 0369-4305; 1881-4883; 1881-4883
• DOI: 10.6009/jjrt.2024-1425

In this study, we investigated the effects of various disinfectants used to prevent infectious diseases on medical images and medical equipment. First, we investigated the effect of residual disinfectant on medical images in CT, mammography (MMG), and general imaging systems. Acrylic discs with various disinfectants attached were photographed using each imaging device, and visual evaluation and changes in image signal values were evaluated. We also conducted a questionnaire survey of each manufacturer regarding cleaning methods for medical devices. With CT/MMG, residual disinfectant could be visually confirmed on the image. Although this could not be confirmed with the general imaging system, a significant difference was confirmed in the image signal values of the general imaging system through statistical analysis. This is thought to be largely due to the influence of nonlinearity in the short-time imaging range of general imaging equipment. In addition, from the responses to a questionnaire survey of each medical device manufacturer, we were able to understand detailed cleaning methods that are not covered in medical device instruction manuals.