Dirty ambulances could help the spread of MRSA

Dirty ambulances could help the spread of MRSA and other superbugs, UNISON warned.

A recent investigation carried out by the union shows that the cleaning of ambulances is haphazard and inadequate in some parts of the country.

"Ambulance cleanliness is a key factor in the battle against healthcare-related infections and the standards laid down should be strictly applied and monitored," warned UNISON's national officer for ambulance staff, Sam Oestreicher.

"The government recently announced extra money for deep cleaning hospitals, but ambulances seem to have been forgotten. They are part of the patient care package and no one should have to travel or work in a dirty ambulance," he added.

Ambulance crews report that they don't get time to check the vehicles, let alone clean them. The vehicles are never deep cleaned. If the crew know a patient is infected with C.difficile, the ambulance will at best only get a quick mop out.

Targets, time and money pressures are the reasons given by ambulance crews for the widespread differences in cleaning practices across the country.

But one trust is taking the issue seriously and leading the way, according to the union. The London Ambulance Service has on-site cleaners who work throughout the night to deep clean and routinely clean the fleet. They also restock ambulances with fresh kit, taking away the need for crews to spend time washing and restocking vehicles. Crews bring in a dirty vehicle and swap to a clean one.

"They should be out there saving lives not mopping out the back of a dirty ambulance," said Mr Oestreicher.

UNISON is calling for mandatory standards, in place of the current guidelines which are voluntary, backed up by a rigorous monitoring and inspection regime.

"The guidance on ambulance infection control is comprehensive, but in practice the essential resources necessary to keep vehicles clean and infection free are not being provided," Mr Oestreicher said.