Radiographers’ knowledge, attitudes and practice of infection prevention and control in the CT suite: A rural perspective.
Yobelli Jimenez1, Suzanne Hill1, Dania Abu Awaad1, Sarah Lewis11Discipline of Medical Imaging Science, The University Of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Introduction
Healthcare associated infections risk is multifaceted in the computed tomography (CT) environment. The aim of this study was to establish a baseline of knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) of radiographers working in the CT suite, with a focus on exploring rural and remote clinical contexts.
Methods
An online survey was developed and distributed via email. The survey consisted of demographic, KAP and case load questions. Overall, 138 CT radiographers completed the survey. 24.6% of study participants (n=34) practiced in rural or remote areas. The correlation between KAP were compared using Spearman’s correlation.
Results
The use of intravenous contrast media in rural or remote areas was higher compared with metropolitan areas. Patients cannulated by radiographers was higher in rural and remote areas (77%), compared to 66% of metropolitan radiographers. Approximately 53% of rural or remote participants had IPC training within the past year. There was a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and attitudes (rho=0.43) and attitudes and practice (rho=0.48), with a weak positive correlation between knowledge and practice (rho=0.26). There was no correlation with knowledge and attitudes. There was a moderate positive correlation between days worked with practice scores (rho=0.32, p=0.078).
Conclusion
There was no statistical difference in KAP between metropolitan and rural or remote radiographers. Key differences were associated with the larger number of intravenous contrast enhanced CT examinations performed, and the larger number of radiographers performing intravenous cannulations in rural or remote compared to metropolitan settings.
Biography
Dr Jimenez is a qualified radiation therapist. She is a Lecturer in the Discipline of Medical Imaging Science at the University of Sydney. Her research interests are focused on health profession student education, breast cancer education, and infection prevention and control.