A Study for the Production of Containers Used in the Diagnosis and Prevention of Infection
Somwang Danchaivijitr MD*, Pairoj Suwanasuthi BEng**, Siriporn Sripalakij MSc***, Tepnimitr Judaeng MSc***
Affiliation : *Department of Medicine,Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, **Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, ***Centre for Nosocomial Infection Control, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objectives : 1. To study the need of containers used in the diagnosis and prevention of infection.
2. To produce the containers,
3. To test the practicability of the product.
Materials and Methods : - The study on the need of the containers was done by questionnaires answered by
nurses and microbiology laboratory technicians in 56 hospitals.
- The containers were produced by the researchers who later had them tested for their practicability
by nurses and technicians in the same hospitals.
- The study was done during 2002-2004.
Results : Fifty-six hospitals were enrolled by stratified random sampling. Questionnaires were responded by
424 nurses and 35 microbiology laboratory technicians. Sputum trap, body fluid and feces containers and
needle disposal box were studied and the need for commercial products was 31.1%, 31.1%, 32.3% and 99.5%
respectively. Sixteen percent to 58.5% of these containers were bought and 14.3% to 68.6% were home-made.
Sputum trap, body fluid and feces containers, and needle disposal boxes were produced and tested by 400
nurses and 32 laboratory technicians. The products were evaluated as satisfactory in 59.4% to 80.0%. The lid
of the needle disposal box designed as saw tooth was not convenient for use and was later modified to various
slits. The costs of the containers produced were 1.3% to 29.8% of available commercial products.
Conclusion : Sputum trap, body fluid and feces containers and needle disposal boxes of reasonable prices
were needed in Thailand. These containers could be produced locally and were much cheaper than available
commercial ones.
Keywords : Containers, Diagnosis, Prevention, Infection
