Preliminary investigation of bacterial surface contamination in emergency ambulances in South Korea.
International Journal of Emergency Medicine · 2025-12-05 · Observational study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Emergency 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. METHODS: This 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. RESULTS: All 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). CONCLUSIONS: Manual 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.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Ambulance vehicle & crash safety · Paramedics & EMTs
Related articles
- Medical transport-associated infection: Review and commentary making a case for its legitimacy. (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2022)
- A Qualitative Exploration of Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Australian Paramedics (Paramedicine, 2017)
- Service Ready Ambulance Surfaces and Emergency Medical Services Clinicians are Routinely Contaminated with Clinically Important Pathogens. (Prehosp Emerg Care, 2026)
- Bacterial Contaminants in Ambulances from a Tertiary Care Hospital as Potential Threats to Patients and Medical Staff in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia-Effect of Decontamination. (Pathogens, 2025)
- SARS-CoV-2 Contamination of Ambulance Surfaces and Effectiveness of Routine Decontamination Procedure: A Classic Hygiene Lesson for A Novel Pathogen. (Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022)
- Bioburden contamination and Staphylococcus aureus colonization associated with firefighter's ambulances. (Environ Res, 2021)