medical system. Participation consent was obtained from the organization responsible for providing the care service.
Simple blind masking techniques were used to not alter the usual conditions of the vehicle and for avoiding possible bias in sampling and analysis.
Sterile swabs moistened with Whatman neutralizing solution
(GE Healthcare, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, UK) were used for
sampling 6 points during the morning shift, when the BLSA was operative:
2 points in the driver’s cabin (the steering wheel and
passenger’s door handle) and 4 in the patient area (fixed oxygen
delivery system flow meter, left handle of the stretcher, handle of
the lateral access door, and cabin light switches).
Swabs were rubbed
vigorously on selected points, anonymously registered, and transported
to the laboratory within 2 hours. Associated variables were
recorded, including the number of calls within 30 days before sampling,
existence of written cleaning protocols, and availability of
hydroalcoholic gel for hand hygiene.