Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE
Published on: March 1, 2024
Medical transport-associated infection: Review and commentary making a case for its legitimacy
Diego Schaps1, Anjni Patel Joiner2,3, Deverick J Anderson4
1School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to summarize existing literature about healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in the medical transport environment and to define the term medical transport-associated infection (MTAI) to unify all previous work under a single umbrella with the objective of providing a standardized definition for future research. A review of the literature yielded 34 relevant articles. These studies show that there are pathogens in the ambulance environment, that emergency medical services (EMS) personnel do not regularly comply with hygiene practices, and that patients are potentially affected by HAI as a direct result of ambulance exposure. Prospective studies must be conducted to truly understand the impact that ambulance exposure has on HAIs. MTAI is a subset of HAI and is defined as any infection acquired as a direct effect of exposure in a medical transport setting.
Insights
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can occur during medical transport. This review defines Medical Transport-Associated Infections (MTAIs) and highlights hygiene gaps in emergency medical services (EMS) to improve patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control
- Public Health
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose risks in various clinical settings.
- The medical transport environment, including ambulances, is a potential vector for pathogen transmission.
- Existing literature lacks a unified definition for infections acquired during medical transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current research on HAIs within the medical transport setting.
- To establish a standardized definition for Medical Transport-Associated Infections (MTAI).
- To provide a foundation for future research on MTAI and patient safety.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of 34 relevant articles.
- Analysis of studies focusing on pathogens, hygiene compliance, and patient outcomes in medical transport.
- Synthesis of findings to propose a formal definition for MTAI.
Main Results:
- Pathogens are present in ambulance environments.
- Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel exhibit suboptimal adherence to hygiene protocols.
- Patients face a tangible risk of HAI due to exposure during ambulance transport.
Conclusions:
- MTAI is a distinct subset of HAI, specifically linked to medical transport exposure.
- Inconsistent hygiene practices among EMS personnel contribute to infection risks.
- Further prospective research is crucial to quantify the impact of ambulance exposure on HAIs.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
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.
01:20Infection
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...
01:26Standard Precaution
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...
01:25Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...