Does Examination Table Paper Use Mitigate the Risk of Disease Transmission in a Family Medicine Clinic?
case_series · Level IV
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38806257.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1370/afm.3092 and PMC identifier 11237226.
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Abstract
Reducing examination table paper (ETP) use may help curb carbon emissions from health care. Six participants applied Glo Germ (DMA International) to their hands before a common physical examination (abdominal, cardiorespiratory, hip and knee) both with and without ETP. After each exam, UV light was shined on the exam table and photographs were taken. The number of hand touches on ETP-covered areas and uncovered areas were tallied and compared using <i>t</i> tests. Despite covering more surface area, participants touched areas without ETP significantly more than ETP-covered areas (<i>P</i> <.05). Despite its continued use, patients do not have much hand contact with ETP during common clinical examinations.
Medical subject headings
- Family Practice
- Physical Examination
- Paper