Effects of Prevention of Infection of Digital Automatic Systems using Robotic Technology in General X-ray Laboratories

This study investigated the preventive effects of the use of digital automatic systems (DAS) using robotic technology in general X-ray laboratories on pathogen infections. Data were collected from two types of general X-ray laboratories: one equipped with traditional manual systems (TMS) and another with the DAS. Swabs were collected from the tube handle, exposure switch, keyboard, and entry door. Entry doors were subdivided into automatic door buttons and swing door handles. Twelve samples were collected from each site, resulting in a total of 96 samples. Several pathogens were detected in bacterial cultures derived from these samples, 10.4% of which contained National notifiable infection pathogens (NNIP). A significantly higher percentage of samples collected from the general X-ray laboratory of TMS carried pathogens than from in the general X-ray laboratory of DAS (p=.037). Differences in the prevalence of NNIP were also seen. In particular, a statistically significant percentage of samples from the tube handle in the general X-ray laboratory of TMS contained NNIP (p=.025). This study shows that a general X-ray equipment of the DAS using robotic technology not only shortens X-ray examination time, improves patient safety, and increases examiners’ convenience, but also reduces exposure to infectious pathogens. Additional behaviors, such as hand-washing, should help to prevent secondary pathogen infections.