Bacterial contamination of semi-critical equipment in prehospital emergency ambulances in Ilam province

Bacterial contamination of semi-critical equipment in prehospital emergency ambulances in Ilam province, Iran: a descriptive survey with exploratory laboratory findings. Download PDF Abstract Given the working environment and conditions of prehospital emergency personnel and their contact with patients, the community, hospitals, and other healthcare workers, ambulance environments and equipment are prone to contamination and subsequent transmission to patients and the community. As an exploratory secondary component, growth-inhibitory activity of two commonly used disinfectants (Deconex 53 Plus and Sayasept HI) against the isolated organisms was assessed using a disk diffusion assay.

This semi experimental study was conducted on semi-critical equipment in ambulances belonging to 30 emergency centers. Using convenience sampling, four semi-critical items (laryngoscopes, Magill forceps, oxygen masks and connectors, and AMBU bags) were randomly selected from each ambulance. Samples were collected by sterile swabs moistened with brain heartinfusion (BHI) broth from standardized high contact surfaces.

Bacteria were identified by Gram staining, selective/differential media, and standard biochemical tests. As an exploratory analysis, susceptibility to 2% solutions of Sayasept HI and Deconex 53 Plus was assessed by the disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar.

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