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We investigated Staphylococcus aureus contamination of the hand rims and handles of wheelchairs for common use on hospital wards by wiping with gauze. Examination of the hand rims of a total of 20 wheelchairs revealed methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and/or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) on 17 wheelchairs (85.0%), and MRSA on 11 (55.0%). The mean ± SD (range) density of MRSA contamination was 320.8 ± 812.3 (2-2.8×103 ) colony-forming units (cfu)/hand rim. Examination of the handles of the 20 wheelchairs showed MRSA on 3 (15.0%). The incidence of S. aureus contamination and its density were higher on hand rims than on handles. After the hand rims were disinfected by wiping with 80% (v/v) ethanol, S. aureus was not detected on any of them. Since S. aureus may potentially be transmitted via shared wheelchairs, their disinfection after every use is recommended.

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