For the study, researchers swabbed the surface of nine oxygen cylinders and regulators in ambulances at an emergency medical services station in North Alabama. They also swabbed 70 oxygen cylinders and regulators at an offsite oxygen cylinder storage area.
The study shows that all nine oxygen cylinders tested in the ambulances had MRSA colonization. Additionally, 67 of the 70 oxygen cylinders (96 percent) tested at the offsite oxygen cylinder storage area had MRSA present.
“The development of universal disinfection protocols for oxygen equipment could help reduce the risk of patient infection due to cross-contamination,” study authors concluded.
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