OBJECTIVE: To determine whether methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) could be found in ambulances in a predominantly rural state. METHODS: Samples were obtained from specified areas in 51 ambulances in southern Maine. These samples were tested on mannitol salt agar containing 4 microg/mL oxacillin. Resulting colonies were gram-stained and tested for the presence of catalase and coagulase. RESULTS: Of the 51 ambulances tested, 25 (49%) had at least one area positive for MRSA contamination. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of ambulances operating in southern Maine have MRSA contamination, and ambulances may represent an important reservoir for the transmission of potentially serious infections to patients and EMS personnel. There was no statistical difference between the service types (fire-based vs. non-fire-based) or annual call volume. There was, however, a statistically significant lower rate of contamination in services that provided paid, 24-hour coverage versus those that did not.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) could be found in ambulances in a predominantly rural state. METHODS: Samples were obtained from specified areas in 51 ambulances in southern Maine. These samples were tested on mannitol salt agar containing 4 microg/mL oxacillin. Resulting colonies were gram-stained and tested for the presence of catalase and coagulase. RESULTS: Of the 51 ambulances tested, 25 (49%) had at least one area positive for MRSA contamination. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of ambulances operating in southern Maine have MRSA contamination, and ambulances may represent an important reservoir for the transmission of potentially serious infections to patients and EMS personnel. There was no statistical difference between the service types (fire-based vs. non-fire-based) or annual call volume. There was, however, a statistically significant lower rate of contamination in services that provided paid, 24-hour coverage versus those that did not.
Authors: William G Lindsley; Tia L McClelland; Dylan T Neu; Stephen B Martin; Kenneth R Mead; Robert E Thewlis; John D Noti Journal: J Occup Environ Hyg Date: 2018-01 Impact factor: 2.155
Authors: Alexander Isakov; Wade Miles; Shawn Gibbs; John Lowe; Aaron Jamison; Raymond Swansiger Journal: Ann Emerg Med Date: 2015-05-21 Impact factor: 5.721
Authors: Zuleika Michelini; Chiara Mazzei; Fabio Magurano; Melissa Baggieri; Antonella Marchi; Mauro Andreotti; Andrea Cara; Alessandro Gaudino; Marco Mazzalupi; Francesca Antonelli; Lorenzo Sommella; Silvia Angeletti; Elena Razzano; Arnaud Runge; Paolo Petrinca Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-29 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Ziad W Jaradat; Qutaiba O Ababneh; Sherin T Sha'aban; Ayesha A Alkofahi; Duaa Assaleh; Anan Al Shara Journal: Pathog Glob Health Date: 2020-10-28 Impact factor: 2.894