Journal ArticleDOI
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization prevalence among Emergency Medical Services personnel.
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TLDR
There is evidence that EMS personnel have a higher prevalence of MRSA colonization than the general population, which can be a risk to patients and can be recognized as an occupational hazard.Abstract:
IntroductionThe prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel is not well studied. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization can be a health hazard for both EMS personnel and patients. The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of MRSA colonization among EMS personnel. This study will help the scientific community understand the extent of this condition so that further protocols and policies can be developed to support the health and wellbeing of EMS personnel.Hypothesis/ ProblemThe hypothesis of this study was that the prevalence of MRSA colonization among EMS personnel is significantly higher than among the general population.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. A total of 110 subjects were selected from two major US Mid-Atlantic fire departments. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization was detected by nasal swabbing. Nasal swabs were inoculated onto a special agar medium (C-MRSAgar) with polymerase chain reaction testing performed. One-sided binomial distribution at the StudySize 2.0 Web calculator was used. Using the Web calculator, p (H0 proportion) = 1.5%; a difference (H1-H0) ‘Δ’ = 4.53% can be detected at α = 5% and power = 80% with N = 110.ResultsSamples were collected from 110 volunteers. Seven samples were positive for MRSA, resulting in a prevalence of 7/110 or 6.4% (95% CI, 1.8%-11%; P < .0003) compared with a 1.5% prevalence of MRSA colonization among the general population.ConclusionThere is evidence that EMS personnel have a higher prevalence of MRSA colonization than the general population. This can be a risk to patients and can be recognized as an occupational hazard.Al AmiryA, BissellRA, MaguireBJ, AlvesDW. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Nasal Colonization Prevalence among Emergency Medical Services Personnel. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(4):1-5.read more
Citations
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Ambulance vehicles as a source of multidrug-resistant infections: a multicenter study in Assiut City, Egypt.
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that ambulances represent a source of prehospital multidrug-resistant infections and the extent of bacterial contamination in ambulance vehicles and the degree of antimicrobial resistance among isolated pathogens is analyzed.
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International Survey of Violence Against EMS Personnel: Physical Violence Report
TL;DR: In order to develop and implement measures to increase safety, EMS personnel must be involved with the research and implementation process and to develop, test, and implement interventions in such a way that they can be reliably evaluated and the results published in peer-reviewed journals.
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Hand Hygiene in Emergency Medical Services
TL;DR: This study demonstrates that EMS providers are potential vectors of microorganisms if proper hand hygiene is not performed properly, and proper application of accepted standards for hand hygiene can help reduce the presence of microbes on provider hands and subsequent transmission to patients and the environment.
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Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and public fomites: a review.
Ziad W. Jaradat,Qutaiba Ababneh,Sherin T Sha’aban,Ayesha Alkofahi,Duaa Assaleh,Anan Al Shara +5 more
TL;DR: The worldwide prevalence of MRSA on fomites within the contexts of hospital and community settings is highlighted and highlighted in this review.
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Everyday Dangers - The Impact Infectious Disease has on the Health of Paramedics: A Scoping Review.
TL;DR: Exposure to infectious diseases is decreasing, yet it remains significant, the decrease is attributed to prevention strategies; however, paramedic knowledge and attitudes as well as the uncontrolled environment paramedics work in can be a barrier.
References
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TL;DR: Richard Prestons The Cobra Event, which he dedicates to public health professionals, weaves a chilling, but compelling tale about a lone terrorists attack on Manhattan with a genetically engineered virus, raises a logical question: How do the authors successfully contain and combat the threat of bioterrorism?
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Has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus stopped spreading in intensive care units?
TL;DR: 3. Melles DC, Gorkink RFJ, Boelens HAM, et al.
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Nasal carriage of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among paramedics in the Sedgwick County emergency medical service in Wichita, Kansas.
TL;DR: To the Editor: Staphylococcus aureus is frequently found as part of normal human microflora, with the primary carriage site being the anterior nares.
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EMTs' knowledge regarding transmission of infectious disease.
TL;DR: There appears to be a need for continuing education for EMTs focusing on the routes of transmission of IDs, their chance of exposure, appropriate use of protective equipment, and the need for follow-up testing.
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A model for surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Hannah Simons,Philip Alcabes +1 more
TL;DR: By linking epidemiologic and molecular techniques within a surveillance system that coordinates activities in the community and health-care setting, scientists and public health officials can begin to measure the true extent of CA-MRSA in communities and hospitals.