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Related Concept Videos

Infection01:20

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Reservoir of Infection01:30

Reservoir of Infection

Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Standard Precaution01:26

Standard Precaution

Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Do wheelchairs spread pathogenic bacteria within hospital walls?

Avi Peretz1, Anna Koiefman, Eleonora Dinisman

  • 1Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Bar Ilan University, Poria, Galilee, Israel, aperetz@poria.health.gov.il.

World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology
|August 13, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Wheelchairs in hospitals can harbor dangerous bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA. This study highlights the need for hospital-specific cleaning protocols to prevent pathogen transmission via wheelchairs.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infection Control
  • Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

  • Nosocomial pathogens transmit via healthcare environments.
  • Medical devices and patient surroundings can harbor transiently colonized bacteria.
  • Wheelchairs may act as reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of pathogenic bacteria on hospital wheelchairs.
  • To determine if wheelchairs contribute to the spread of healthcare-associated infections.
  • To assess the potential of wheelchairs as reservoirs for nosocomial pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Sampling and culturing of bacteria from four hospital wheelchairs.
  • Bacterial identification using standard microbiology laboratory practices.
  • Antimicrobial sensitivity testing of isolated bacterial strains.

Main Results:

  • Wheelchairs were found to be contaminated with multiple pathogenic bacteria.
  • Identified pathogens included antibiotic-resistant strains such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
  • Specific locations sampled included internal medicine, emergency, general surgery, and transportation units.

Conclusions:

  • Hospital wheelchairs can be contaminated with significant pathogenic bacteria.
  • Antibiotic-resistant organisms pose a risk of transmission via wheelchairs.
  • Hospitals require specific guidelines for wheelchair disinfection and cleaning frequency.