Resumen

OCHOA YUMBLA, Cecibel del Carmen  y  ARTEAGA SARMIENTO, Sandra Denisse. Bacterial species on surfaces of ambulances of the mobile health care service, Azogues - Ecuador. Vive Rev. Salud [online]. 2024, vol.7, n.21, pp.658-669.  Epub 27-Sep-2024. ISSN 2664-3243.  https://doi.org/10.33996/revistavive.v7i21.330.

Introduction: The presence of microorganisms causing infectious diseases in ambulances poses risks to public health, affecting patients, companions, and paramedical staff. The objective of this research was to identify bacterial species on the surfaces of ambulances from the Mobile Health Care Service in Azogues. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2024. One hundred surface samples were taken from five ambulances after disinfection, following established protocols: critical surfaces were sterilized, semi-critical surfaces were disinfected at a high level, and non-critical surfaces were cleaned with 70% alcohol. Samples were taken in thioglycolate enrichment medium, properly identified, and sent to the laboratory for microbiological analysis. They were incubated for 24 hours at 37ºC ± 1ºC. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Ten potential pathogenic bacterial species and 90 non-pathogenic species were identified on the stretcher and cervical collar (30%), showing the highest contamination rates. Klebsiella pneumoniae (50%) was the most frequently isolated microorganism, followed by Escherichia coli (20%), Enterobacter cloacae (20%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10%). Non-pathogenic bacteria isolated included Bacillus spp (53.3%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (46.7%). Staphylococcus aureus was methicillin-resistant (MRSA), and no extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteria were found. The correlation between bacterial species on surfaces before and after cleaning was significant (p<0.01). Conclusions: The study revealed the presence of potential pathogenic bacteria on the surfaces of ambulances from the Mobile Health Care Service in Azogues, microorganisms associated with hospital-acquired infections that could jeopardize patient health and safety.

Palabras clave : Ambulances; Bacteria; Disinfection procedure; Patient transport; Pre-hospital care.

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