Background: Nosocomial infections have become a major challenge in healthcare facilities as they affect the quality of medical care. Radiological imaging plays a crucial role in medical diagnosis. However, the equipme...Background: Nosocomial infections have become a major challenge in healthcare facilities as they affect the quality of medical care. Radiological imaging plays a crucial role in medical diagnosis. However, the equipment and accessories used increase the risk of transmission of nosocomial bacteria. Objective: This study aims to reveal the extent and nature of microbiological contamination in four hospital diagnostic imaging departments to determine their potential role in the spread of nosocomial bacteria and to evaluate the effectiveness of routine daily disinfection practices in controlling microorganisms in diagnostic imaging departments. Methods & Results: In each department, swabs were taken from the surfaces of selected parts of the equipment and accessories three times a day (early morning, noon, and evening) for five consecutive days. Bacteria were isolated from 65 swabs (36.1% of all samples). The bacteria were isolated 3 times (4.6%) in the morning, 16 times (24.6%) at midday, and 46 times (70.7%) in the evening. The bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli (isolated 34 times;52.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (20 times;30.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (6 times;9.3%), and Klebsiella species (5 times;7.7%). Discussion & Conclusion: Findings demonstrated that radiology equipment and accessories are not free of bacteria and further improvements in the sterilization and disinfection of radiology equipment and accessories are needed to protect staff and patients from nosocomial infections.展开更多
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, EC) form an aerosol from the heating element and liquid-containing cartridge. The heating element aerosolizes the refill solutions (e-liquids) when the power source of e-cigarette ...Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, EC) form an aerosol from the heating element and liquid-containing cartridge. The heating element aerosolizes the refill solutions (e-liquids) when the power source of e-cigarette is pressed. E-liquids consist of combinations of propylene glycol, glycerine, nicotine and flavouring ingredients. Puffing activates the battery-operated heating element in the atomizer and will produce smoke that is similar to conventional cigarette (CC). This study evaluated the chemical composition of e-liquid and aerosol samples available in Malaysia. We analyzed the volatile organic compounds in e-liquids and the aerosols samples from EC using gas chromatography mass spectrometer. Seventy-two EC e-liquids were analyzed through different flavours from more than 60 brands. Samples consisted of 32 nicotine-free (0 mg) and 40 nicotine-containing refill solutions (3 - 12 mg). Overall, 116 compounds were identified from EC e-liquids. On the other hand, 275 compounds were identified from their resultant aerosol samples. There were 42 compounds found in both e-liquids and aerosols. Seven compounds were only found in e-liquids and 38 compounds were only found in aerosols. Propylene glycol was found in all of the e-liquid and aerosol samples. Glycerin was found in 99% of the e-liquid and 100% of aerosol samples. At least 60% of the EC e-liquids and the resultant aerosol contain piperidine, butanoic acid ethyl ester and nicotine. It was also found that at least 9 out of 35 nicotine free labeled e-liquids contain nicotine. Some of these compounds were known to be detrimental to health and were detected in aerosol although they were not present in e-liquids. While some of the compounds are flavouring ingredients, it is necessary to evaluate its long-term effects on EC users.展开更多
文摘Background: Nosocomial infections have become a major challenge in healthcare facilities as they affect the quality of medical care. Radiological imaging plays a crucial role in medical diagnosis. However, the equipment and accessories used increase the risk of transmission of nosocomial bacteria. Objective: This study aims to reveal the extent and nature of microbiological contamination in four hospital diagnostic imaging departments to determine their potential role in the spread of nosocomial bacteria and to evaluate the effectiveness of routine daily disinfection practices in controlling microorganisms in diagnostic imaging departments. Methods & Results: In each department, swabs were taken from the surfaces of selected parts of the equipment and accessories three times a day (early morning, noon, and evening) for five consecutive days. Bacteria were isolated from 65 swabs (36.1% of all samples). The bacteria were isolated 3 times (4.6%) in the morning, 16 times (24.6%) at midday, and 46 times (70.7%) in the evening. The bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli (isolated 34 times;52.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (20 times;30.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (6 times;9.3%), and Klebsiella species (5 times;7.7%). Discussion & Conclusion: Findings demonstrated that radiology equipment and accessories are not free of bacteria and further improvements in the sterilization and disinfection of radiology equipment and accessories are needed to protect staff and patients from nosocomial infections.
文摘Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, EC) form an aerosol from the heating element and liquid-containing cartridge. The heating element aerosolizes the refill solutions (e-liquids) when the power source of e-cigarette is pressed. E-liquids consist of combinations of propylene glycol, glycerine, nicotine and flavouring ingredients. Puffing activates the battery-operated heating element in the atomizer and will produce smoke that is similar to conventional cigarette (CC). This study evaluated the chemical composition of e-liquid and aerosol samples available in Malaysia. We analyzed the volatile organic compounds in e-liquids and the aerosols samples from EC using gas chromatography mass spectrometer. Seventy-two EC e-liquids were analyzed through different flavours from more than 60 brands. Samples consisted of 32 nicotine-free (0 mg) and 40 nicotine-containing refill solutions (3 - 12 mg). Overall, 116 compounds were identified from EC e-liquids. On the other hand, 275 compounds were identified from their resultant aerosol samples. There were 42 compounds found in both e-liquids and aerosols. Seven compounds were only found in e-liquids and 38 compounds were only found in aerosols. Propylene glycol was found in all of the e-liquid and aerosol samples. Glycerin was found in 99% of the e-liquid and 100% of aerosol samples. At least 60% of the EC e-liquids and the resultant aerosol contain piperidine, butanoic acid ethyl ester and nicotine. It was also found that at least 9 out of 35 nicotine free labeled e-liquids contain nicotine. Some of these compounds were known to be detrimental to health and were detected in aerosol although they were not present in e-liquids. While some of the compounds are flavouring ingredients, it is necessary to evaluate its long-term effects on EC users.
