CT scan machines can be spreaders if protocols not followed

With High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) of the chest changing into a typical investigation methodology for COVID-19 and for suspected circumstances to rule out lung involvement, medical doctors stated diagnostic centres, CT scan rooms and machines are the most recent spreaders.

As many sufferers flip up for the investigation, there’s not sufficient time for the workers to correctly sanitise the machines and the packed room the place the scan is performed. In such a scenario, many sufferers are catching the an infection there and people who are already constructive find yourself with an elevated viral load, stated medical doctors.

C.N. Manjunath, nodal officer for labs and testing within the State’s COVID-19 process power, stated: “There should be different time slots for symptomatic and asymptomatic people. It is ideal to have a dedicated machine for COVID-19 patients.” He added that solely those that have respiration issue, saturation lower than 94-93 or an irregular X-ray want HRCT.

Haleema Yezdani, a common doctor who has been tele-triaging and tele-treating by the Emergency Response Team and Project StepOne volunteer teams, stated she has seen many SARI sufferers testing constructive after visiting scanning centres.

“A person undergoing the scan is made to inhale and exhale/cough several times during the scanning. If a COVID-19 positive patient does it, the virus gets discharged in the air and also the particles land on the surface of the machine,” she defined.

“Besides, I have also seen several positive patients’ viral load increasing after visiting diagnostics centres for the scan. We doctors should be selective in prescribing HRCT. Patients with mild symptoms and without any respiratory problems should be managed at home and monitored. Unless required, patients should not be sent out of the house for investigations,” she asserted.

Agreeing that CT scan machines can grow to be a supply of an infection, H.M. Venkatappa, Managing Director of Kanva Diagnostic Services, stated such a danger exists if the machines are not sanitised correctly after each scan.

“But, all diagnostic centres follow protocols diligently. We change the paper roll on the bed of the machine for every patient and sanitise the machines. It is important that precautions are followed both by patients and staff as a majority who come for HRCT are those who would already had the infection,” he stated.

A senior Health Department official stated the danger is excessive in authorities diagnostic services the place there’s a enormous rush of sufferers.

“It is very difficult to elaborately sanitise the machine after every scan as many patients would be waiting,” he stated.

V. Ravi, member of the State’s Technical Advisory Committee, stated unfold by diagnostic centres and CT machines can be prevented if correct COVID-19 protocols are followed. “If people wear masks they will not just protect themselves but also others,” he added.