ฉันรักแปลภาษาThe findings of this study suggest that MRSA contamination of surfaces does not occur at sites other than patient contact sites. By contrast, bedmaking was shown to disperse MRSA as a function of distance from the bed.12 Another study demonstrated no spatial differences in MRSA shedding by patients whose airways were colonised.13 In the study by Gehanno et al. MRSA was detected by air samplers, whereas we used surface swabbing. Importantly, the present study was conducted in a setting where MRSA-positive patients routinely received face masks, hand disinfection, and fresh gowns prior to transport. These protective measures probably were effective in preventing MRSA dispersal via the airborne route. The headrest of the stretcher was the most frequently contaminated site. This kind of contact contamination is independent of aerosol spread and requires neck colonisation of the patient. Stretchers have been implicated in MRSA transmission in certain clinical settings.14,15 It therefore needs to be emphasised that especially the headrest e irrespective of MRSA information on the patient e in our opinion requires thorough disinfection after each transport. We encourage the use of cover sheets for the head piece. On two occasions the stretcher’s straps were positive. This finding reflects the common theme of indirect manual contamination of surfaces by staff members, which might occur even when gloves are used. Our findings therefore emphasise the importance of disinfection of handles at regular intervals. This is in line with observations reported recently by Brown et al.6