Factors Affecting Compliance of Infection Control Measures among Dental Radiographers

Assessment of infection control in oral radiology during the COVID-19 outbreak: An international collaborative study

Purpose

In the context of COVID-19, studies evaluating the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control are relevant due to their high occupational exposure and risk, as well as their responsibility for disseminating information and good practices. This study evaluated the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control in the oral radiology field in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic on different continents.

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional observational study involved individuals who performed intraoral radiographic examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Questionnaire on Infection Control in Oral Radiology was administered virtually using a Google Form. Participants from different continents (the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania) were recruited. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and simple and multiple binary regression (5%).

Results

There were 582 valid answers, and 68.73% of the participants were from the Americas, 18.90% from Europe, and 12.37% from Asia. The median score for infection control protocols was 94 points for dental students and 104 points for dentists, and participants below the median were considered to have low adherence to infection control in oral radiology. Low access to infection control was found for 53.0% of dentists in the Americas, 34.0% from Europe, and 26.9% from Asia.

Conclusion

The adherence to infection control protocols in oral radiology was low even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results may help improve the awareness of students and professionals, since oral radiology routines have the potential for transmitting COVID-19.

Infection prevention and control in the medical imaging environment: a scoping review

Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are key to preventing and controlling the spread of pathogens in medical imaging departments (MIDs). The objective of this scoping review was to synthesise information about current research in MID regarding IPC and to use the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model to identify the work system factors ('persons', 'organisation', 'tools and technology', 'tasks' and 'environment') influencing the practice of IPC, in order to better understand challenges and facilitators that affect IPC in MID. Predefined search terms and medical subject headings relating to IPC in the medical imaging setting were used to search 3 databases. A total of 46 publications met the inclusion criteria, which combined, encompassed all five SEIPS domains influencing IPC. The literature supports the interrelated nature of the five SEIPS domains, and influence to one another. Hand hygiene was a major focus of publications. Mechanisms of infection in contrast-enhanced computed tomography were most reported, with human error, lack of education, and issues associated with devices and processes mechanisms found to influence IPC breaches. A systems approach, such as the SEIPS model, is useful for understanding barriers and hence opportunities for improvement of IPC in the medical imaging setting. Future studies should address individuals' decision-making processes in the medical imaging setting, and a greater focus should be placed into the procedural steps, education and tools used for contrast media administration. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: A systems approach, such as the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model, is useful for understanding barriers and hence opportunities for improvement of IPC in the medical imaging setting. KEY POINTS: 1. IPC in the medical imaging setting would benefit from a systems approach. 2. The role of education and monitoring of IPC compliance requires further research. 3. Geographical location is a key variable in IPC research in medical imaging.

Infection prevention and control in medical imaging surveys: The need to map to guidelines to address systemic issues?

BACKGROUND

Infection prevention and control (IPC) in the medical imaging (MI) setting is recognised as an important factor in providing high-quality patient care and safe working conditions. Surveys are commonly used and have advantages for IPC research. The aim of this study was to identify the core concepts in surveys published in the literature that examined IPC in MI environments.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted to identify studies that employed a survey relating to IPC in the MI setting. For each included study, descriptive study information and survey information were extracted. For IPC-specific survey items, directed content analysis was undertaken, using eleven pre-determined codes based on the 'Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare'. Content that related to 'Knowledge', 'Attitudes' and 'Practice' were also identified.

RESULTS

A total of 23 studies and 21 unique surveys were included in this review. IPC-specific survey items assessed diverse dimensions of IPC, most commonly relating to 'transmission-based precautions' and 'applying standard and transmission-based precautions during procedures'. 'Practice' and 'Knowledge' related survey items were most frequent, compared to 'Attitudes'.

CONCLUSION

MI research using survey methods have focused on the 'entry' points of IPC, rather than systemic IPC matters around policy, education, and stewardship. The concepts of 'Knowledge', 'Attitudes' and 'Practice' are integrated in IPC surveys in the MI context, with a greater focus evident on staff knowledge and practice. Existing topics within IPC surveys in MI are tailored to individual studies and locales, with lack of consistency to national frameworks.