Microbial contamination on ambulance surfaces: a systematic literature review

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Public Health
• Infection Prevention

Background:

• Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant risk to patients.
• Ambulances can serve as a potential transmission route for pathogens during patient transport.
• Understanding microbial contamination in ambulances is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of HAI-associated organisms on surfaces within ambulance patient-care compartments.
• To assess the extent of microbial contamination in ground ambulances.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted using five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar).
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies published between 2009-2020, reporting positive samples from ambulance interiors using swab or RODAC methods.
• A total of 1376 articles were initially identified, with 16 ultimately included in the review.

Main Results:

• Commonly identified HAI-associated organisms were frequently detected on various surfaces within the patient-care compartment.
• Contaminated surfaces included blood pressure cuffs, oxygen apparatuses, and patient stretchers.
• A high prevalence of pathogenic bacteria was observed, indicating potential issues with existing cleaning protocols.

Conclusions:

• Ambulances frequently harbor organisms linked to healthcare-associated infections.
• Current cleaning and disinfection protocols in ambulances may require re-evaluation for effectiveness.
• Integrating infection prevention specialists into pre-hospital care is recommended to bridge the gap between pre-hospital and hospital settings.