title: Automatic MDCT injectors: hygiene and efficiency of disposable, prefilled, and multidosing roller pump systems in clinical routine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated three different injection systems with regard to microbiological contamination, time efficiency, and user handling during a clinical routine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 825 patients were included. A double-syringe contrast injector with disposable syringes (system A; n = 150) and one that used prefilled syringes (system B; n = 150) were microbiologically analyzed during single use of the syringes in one patient. Moreover, the contamination of a roller pump injector capable of multidosing several patients from a contrast agent container, without the need for prior filling, was determined after being used for an entire day (system C; n = 35 injections/day for 15 days). The hygienic background was guaranteed by taking imprints of the surfaces of devices and the palms of the hands of members of CT staff before the clinical investigation. The time required for assembly of the injection systems and for filling or refilling of each injector system was measured. The handling of the three systems also was subjectively ranked by the technicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Injection systems A, B, and C remained microbiologically sterile and free of contamination throughout their use in clinical routine. The mean (± SD) time for injection system assembly and installation of syringes and filling did not differ significantly between injection systems A and B (system A, 2.5 ± 1.1 minutes; system B, 1.9 ± 1.3 minutes; p = 0.12), whereas the time for assembly of system C was significantly shorter (0.9 ± 0.6 minutes; p < 0.05 vs system A; p < 0.05 vs system B). In the subjective ranking of injector handling, systems B and C were preferred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Double-syringe injectors used with disposable or prefilled contrast agent syringes, as well as roller pump injectors, ensure hygienic conditions in clinical routine. However, time efficiency and handling are aspects that favor prefilled and roller pump systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 33, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buerke
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puesken
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mellmann
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schuelke
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Knauer
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heindel
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wessling
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004526:Efficiency; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards*; D007267:Injections / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013594:Syringes / Q000382:microbiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media