Keimbelastung von Oberflächen im Rettungsdienst

Abstract

Objectives: The increasing prevalence of patients colonized or infected with multiresistant bacteria is one of the most demanding challenges for emergency services. It seems likely that multiresistant bacteria like Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) will be detected more and more on surfaces and medical equipment of ambulance cars. As a consequence the rationale for our study was the identification and evaluation of possible pathogens on defined surfaces in German ambulance cars, pronounced to be “ready for service”. Methode: 2136 surfaces of 86 of 117 (74 %) ambulances and 64 of 108 (59 %) patient transport ambulances of the 56 emergency medical service bases in Southern Germany participating in our study were investigated. Samples from defined surfaces were obtained using Rodac® agar plates during an unannounced visit of the bases and included at least 50 % of all vehicles of the individual service. Furthermore a questionnaire asking for information e.g. about the size and staff of the service, the number of rescue missions per year and disinfection protocols was obtained. Results: Most surfaces were contaminated by microorganisms typical for skin or environmental colonization. S. aureus was detected in 128 (6 %) samples. Of these 11 genotypically different MRSA strains could be isolated from 18 surfaces in 11 out of 150 ambulance vehicles (7%). MRSA was present more often in ambulances if compared to patient transport vehicles. Conclusion: Standardization of disinfection protocols, developing acknowledged guidelines and improved educational programmes for staff members should be our goals to support our emergency medical services.