Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination of ambulance cars after short term transport of MRSA-colonised patients is restricted to the stretcher.

Cabin surfaces of ambulance cars transporting hospitalised patients are at risk of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination. In this study ambulance cars were analysed for the presence of MRSA immediately after transport of MRSA-colonised or -infected patients (two sites at the stretcher, three sites at the interior walls). Eighty-nine of 100 transport events, which fulfilled the inclusion criterion of transport time less than 20 min, were further analysed. Eight ambulance cars (9%) were contaminated (90% confidence interval: 4-14%). Transport time of 11-20 min did not result in a higher contamination rate than shorter transport time of 1-10 min. MRSA was detected only on the stretcher, i.e. the headrest and the handles. Cabin walls were not contaminated. In conclusion, ambulance cars were contaminated with MRSA even at short transport times. Disinfection after short-term transport of MRSA-positive patients should be restricted to surfaces in close vicinity to the patient's position. Consecutive investigation of 60 transport events in the absence of MRSA notification did not reveal any MRSA, but meticillin-susceptible S. aureus was detected in 12 cars, predominantly at handles and headrests. This finding highlights the importance of disinfection of surfaces in the vicinity of patients irrespective of the MRSA status.