Contamination of portable equipment with healthcare-associated pathogens: a point-prevalence culture survey in 31 American hospitals

Abstract

We conducted a point-prevalence culture survey in 31 hospitals to assess contamination of portable medical equipment. Of 308 devices cultured, 52 (16.9%) were contaminated with 1 or more pathogens. The percentages of contamination with Candida species, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Clostridioides difficile , and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were 6.8%, 6.2%, 5.2%, 2.9%, respectively.