Risk of Transmission of MRSA on Contact Surfaces in Ambulance

摘要

The gram-positive bacterium methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most frequent causes of treatment-associated nosocomial infections. The incidence of MRSA among the population and in hospitalised patients is growing worldwide. Ambulance service is an interface between the enviroment, outpatient treatment and inpatient treatment of patients. What is the probability that MRSA is applied by the patient on contact surfaces in ambulance vehicles in compliance with an infection control concept and what are risk contact surfaces in the ambulance vehicle? We studied defined contact surfaces in 30 ambulances after transport of a MRSA positive patients. In the control group 15 ambulances were examined after transport with unknown MRSA status. The sampling was carried out before the final disinfection, genotyping of MRSA strains were carried out within the Euregio MRSA-net project. In three transports with known MRSA status of the patient we found on four contact surfaces in the vehicles a nosocomial MRSA strain with the same genotype of previously transported patient. In the control group, we detected an incidental finding of a nosocomial MRSA strain on the disinfectant dispenser. The risk areas identified were all close to the patient and all hand-related areas of the staff. All sampling was carried out before the final disinfection. In 10% MRSA is transmitted from patient to near patient and all hand contact surfaces in the ambulance vehicle. A targeted disinfection, as well as an infection control concept are sufficient to eliminate MRSA transmission on contact surfaces in the ambulance vehicle.