Ambulance oxygen tanks are likely to carry the 'superbug' MRSA, a small US study suggests, pointing to the need for regular disinfection of medical equipment.
Researchers tested nine oxygen tanks carried by three ambulances based at an emergency medical services (EMS) station in Alabama. They found MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, on all nine tanks.
They also swabbed oxygen tanks in a storage area, finding MRSA on 96 percent of the stored cylinders.
MRSA infections are difficult to treat because the bacteria are resistant to common antibiotics. Although usually mild, MRSA infections still cause thousands of deaths each year.
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5 comments:
Absolutely unacceptable. It is mentioned ' the challenge is finding universally effective disinfection procedures and techniques that are both effective and efficient '. There is no mention of anything being done to correct this deadly procedure. How long will this nasty avoidable neglect continue.
Seems like the concern is more on a policeman protecting themselves against another disease they encounter regularly or worry about our good president trying to protect us from illegal element. You can't make this stuff up.
This is horrible, if you're not dead yet,
You might be while riding in ambulance while getting oxygen. Great, just great.
Two comments, no wonder they get away with it. NoBODY seems to give a hoot. Sad indeed.
One more thing for you cotton wool wrapped Nancy’s to be afraid of.
It's not medical oxygen anyway. It's the same oxygen that they sell to welders. Nothing sterilized about it at all.
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