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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Objective: The aim of this study is to characterize the occupational exposure to the bioburden of ambulance workers and to suggest control procedures to prevent microbial contamination. Background: Ambulances are of critical importance for health services. Thus effective cleaning protocols are essential. Method: This study was held during the winter months (November and December) of 2019 in two Firefighters Headquarters (FF). A total of 12 ambulances were sampled (4 from FF1 and 8 from FF2). The sample consisted of twelve settled dust samples from driver’s and medical cabins of the 12 ambulances, 5 mop samples (2 from FF1 and 3 from FF2) used for the cleaning procedures of all the headquarters’ ambulances, and also 2 cleaning cloths samples from 2 individual ambulances from FF2. Results: Gram-negative bacteria presented the highest prevalence in both matrixes from FF1 (54.7% settled Dust; 56.41% mop and cleaning cloths); in FF2, Total Bacteria (TSA) presented the highest prevalence in settled dust (54.96%). Regarding the fungal contamination, in FF1 the highest prevalence was in MEA in both matrixes (61.2% settled dust; 60.7% mop and cleaning cloths); in FF2, DG18 presented the highest prevalence in settled dust samples (53.3%). Conclusion: The results reinforce the importance to use passive sampling methods combined with active methods and that a wider pool of culture media allows more complete results. Application: This study will support the paramedic sector’s mission while ensuring their working conditions.
Description
Project “Occupational exposure of ambulance drivers to bioburden” (IPL/2020/BIOAmbuDrivers_ESTeSL)
FCT_UIDB/05608/2020. FCT_UIDP/05608/2020.
FCT_UIDB/05608/2020. FCT_UIDP/05608/2020.
Keywords
Occupational health Occupational exposure Multi-approach sampling protocol Bioburden Ambulances IPL/2020/BIOAmbuDrivers_ESTeSL FCT_UIDB/05608/2020 FCT_UIDP/05608/2020 Portugal
Citation
Dias M, Sousa P, Viegas C. Occupational exposure to bioburden in Portuguese ambulances. In: In: Arezes PM, et al., editors. Occupational and environmental safety and health III – Studies in Systems, Decision and Control (Vol. 406). Cham: Springer; 2022. p. 167-73.