Despite consistent disinfection efforts, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, are not completely free from the grasp of harmful microorganisms as indicated by recent studies. These studies shine light on the continuous risks associated with environmental hygiene in hospital settings, emphasizing the importance of rethinking and enhancing disinfection strategies. Patient stretchers, known as the backbone of hospitals that facilitate patient movement, are becoming a subject of concern due to potential contamination. It seems that these surfaces, despite being high-touch areas, are not as clean as they may appear.
Recent investigations have raised alarm over the presence of dangerous microbes, including pathogens causing health care-associated infections (HAIs), residing on the surfaces of stretchers including their rails and mattresses, even post routine cleaning. Chatterjee et al have discovered a variety of bacteria, including human pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella aerogenes, dwelling on high-touch areas such as bed rails, workstations, and simulation manikins. Interestingly, approximately half of these bacteria were also detected in clinical samples from patients, magnifying the concerns over cross-transmission.
An emergency department pilot study showed that 28.1% of routinely cleaned stretcher rails exceeded the contamination threshold. Astonishingly, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected on more than 20% of rails even after cleaning, thereby challenging the upkeep of the safety of these surfaces, especially in high-turnover areas like the emergency department.
Also, hospital stretcher mattresses have surfaced as potential reservoirs for bacteria. Studies showed that over 32% of mattresses in Canadian acute care hospitals exhibited visible damage, making them impractical to disinfect properly and thus, providing an ideal environment for fluids and pathogens to infiltrate and thrive. This scenario presents a concealed risk to every patient transported on damaged stretchers, which possibly serve as mobile vectors for pathogen spreading across hospital areas.
The increasing rates of HAIs have been connected to such contaminated surfaces. The prominent occurrence of multidrug-resistant organisms on stretchers is especially dangerous for patients with compromised immunity. Given the evidence, it’s clear that although a stretcher may look clean, it could still be contaminated post-routine disinfection. The danger of contamination amplifies due to damaged surfaces and inconsistencies in cleaning procedures. For mitigating these risks, healthcare facilities need to adopt a rigorous and vigilant approach towards hygiene, incorporating strict cleaning regimes, proactive maintenance, and constant monitoring to enhance patient safety.