Contamination of wheelchairs by Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

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.

Staphylococcus aureus contamination of environmental surfaces and efficacy of alcohol wiping once daily in a hospital with a long-term care facility

“…[7] Therefore, in terms of MRSA infection, the disinfection of environmental surfaces such as door handles is important. [8][9][10] However, the appropriate frequency of disinfecting frequently touched surfaces has not be adequately evaluated, although there is a prevailing opinion that MRSA patient rooms should be disinfected 3 times daily in intensive care units and once daily on normal wards. [11] Therefore, in a hospital with a care facility, we quantitatively evaluated methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and/or MRSA contamination of door and wheelchair handles and determined whether the disinfection of door handles by wiping with alcohol once daily is effective in maintaining cleanliness.…”