ArticleInternational journal of emergency medicine2025
Preliminary investigation of bacterial surface contamination in emergency ambulances in South Korea.
Article in International journal of emergency medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundEmergency ambulances are vital in prehospital care but carry a high risk of healthcare-associated infections due to confined spaces, high patient turnover, and brief cleaning intervals. Routine disinfection protocols are in place; however, their effectiveness in South Korean ambulances has not been formally evaluated.
methodsThis pre-post observational study examined bacterial contamination on six high-touch surfaces across five operational ambulances in Province G, South Korea. Swabs were collected immediately before and after daily disinfection performed by paramedics. Bacterial load was quantified using colony-forming units (CFUs), and species identification was conducted via 16 S rRNA sequencing. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, ANOVA, Cohen's d, and MANOVA to evaluate the cleaning efficacy and contamination patterns.
resultsAll six surfaces were contaminated before cleaning, with the highest CFUs recorded on the ventilation outlet (182.6 ± 48.3), SpO₂ sensor (145.2 ± 35.7), and stretcher handle (122.4 ± 22.6). Disinfection significantly reduced bacterial load across all surfaces (p < 0.05), yet residual contamination remained on the SpO₂ sensor (Bacillus velezensis) and stretcher handle (Williamsia muralis). ANOVA revealed significant differences in baseline contamination (F(5,24) = 78.52, p < 0.001), and MANOVA confirmed that cleaning effectiveness varied by surface geometry (Wilks' Λ = 0.202, p < 0.001).
conclusionsManual disinfection significantly lowers bacterial load in ambulances, but residual contamination on complex, high-touch surfaces remains problematic. These findings underscore the need for multimodal disinfection approaches, improved equipment design, and systematic microbial surveillance to enhance EMS infection control standards.
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