The purpose of this study was to determine if Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) was present on the electrocardiogram (ECG) right arm leads, blood pressure cuffs, and fingertip pulse oximetry sensors of monitor/defibrillators used in the prehospital setting.

On March 22, 2019, a total of 20 prehospital monitor/defibrillators located at an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) station in Alabama (USA) were assessed for C. diff. The inside area of the fingertip pulse oximetry sensor, patient contact side of the blood pressure cuff, and right arm ECG lead of monitor/defibrillators (n = 60) were swabbed using a sterile cotton-tipped applicator saturated in a 0.85% Sodium Chloride solution. These cotton-tipped applicators were then inserted, scored, and released into Banana Broth vials. The vials were then sealed tightly and immediately transported to the laboratory, where they were incubated at 36°C for 72 hours. Colorimetric change from red to yellow was considered a positive indication for the presence of C. diff.

Of 20 blood pressure cuffs, 15 had C. diff contamination (75%); C. diff was also present on 19 of 20 fingertip pulse oximeter sensors (95%) and 20 of 20 ECG right arm monitor leads (100%).

Prehospital monitor/defibrillators may represent a significant reservoir of C. diff and other pathogenic bacteria. Improved disinfection protocols for reusable monitoring equipment and transition to disposable monitoring equipment used in the prehospital setting may reduce the risk of patient and EMS provider infection.