Preventing microbial contamination during radiological imaging: Experimental evaluation of a multiuse contrast media infusion system incorporating sequential one-way valves within a dual-safety design - 13/08/25
, Kevin Hugill, RN, BSc, MSc, PhD b, L. Natalia Galvan, BS c, Benjamin Tanner, PhD cResumen |
Background |
Health care-associated infections are a significant cause of patient morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure. In diagnostic imaging, multiuse contrast media infusion systems are increasingly common; however, their use raises concerns regarding cross-contamination risk.
Methods |
A controlled experimental model was used to assess the ability of a multiuse infusion system to prevent microbial contamination during simulated clinical conditions. Escherichia coli and MS2 bacteriophage were selected to model bacterial and viral contamination risks, respectively. Inocula were introduced at key connection points during two 12-hour experimental sessions. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of microbial growth in retrieved fluid samples. Control testing was conducted to validate sterility, microbial viability, and experimental integrity.
Results |
Positive and negative control testing performed as expected. No microbial growth was detected in any of the 51 experimental fluid samples. This corresponds to a 95% confidence upper bound of 5.8% for undetected contamination events.
Conclusions |
The system's design, including sequential dual 1-way valves effectively prevented bacterial and viral contamination under laboratory conditions. These findings support its potential for safe multiuse in radiological settings.
El texto completo de este artículo está disponible en PDF.Highlights |
• | Dual-valve contrast infusion system prevented contamination in simulated tests. |
• | No bacterial or viral growth in 51 uses; 95% CI upper contamination bound: 5.8%. |
• | Viral challenge using a small surrogate virus exceeds current FDA test standards. |
• | Multiuse infusion in radiology is safe and sustainable with no infection risk. |
• | Device design is crucial: dual-valve safety zone blocks contamination reliably. |
Key Words : Patient safety, Infection prevention, Microbial contamination testing, Multiuse medical devices, MRI/CT contrast media injector systems
Esquema
| Funding/support: This study was supported by P&R Medical BV, who provided funding for laboratory testing. To maintain objectivity, the experimental protocol was independently designed by the study team, and all laboratory work was conducted by third-party scientists at an accredited facility. Data analysis and manuscript preparation were performed without sponsor involvement. The authors affirm that the funder had no role in data interpretation or reporting. |
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| Conflicts of interest: None to report. |
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| Ethics approval: This was a laboratory bench study that did not involve human or animal participants. Ethical approval was therefore not required. |
Vol 53 - N° 9
P. 962-966 - septembre 2025 Regresar al número
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