Infection Control on Chiropractic Treatment Tables
Author Information
Author(s): Marion Willard Jr Evans, Jennell Breshears, Alan Campbell, Chris Husbands, Ronald Rupert
Primary Institution: Parker College of Chiropractic
Hypothesis
Are pathogenic microbes present on chiropractic treatment tables, and can inexpensive disinfectants effectively kill them?
Conclusion
Pathogenic microbes, including methicillin-resistant Staph aureus, can be found on chiropractic treatment tables but can be effectively eliminated with proper disinfecting methods.
Supporting Evidence
- Pathogenic microbes were found on chiropractic treatment tables.
- Simple disinfectants were effective in neutralizing the pathogens.
- Routine disinfection and hand sanitizing are crucial for infection control.
Takeaway
Chiropractic tables can have germs on them, but cleaning them with the right wipes can make them safe again.
Methodology
Ten treatment tables were sampled for microbes, and five were treated with two different disinfectants to test their effectiveness.
Potential Biases
The selection of only non-porous tables may not reflect the microbial presence on other types of tables.
Limitations
The study did not quantify bacterial counts and only tested 10 tables, which may not represent all chiropractic tables.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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