The role of technology advancement in improving the current practice of ambulance decontamination in Malaysia: a scoping review

Abstract

In Malaysia, the current methodology for decontaminating ambulances is by manually cleaning surfaces with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved disinfecting solutions as contrast to previous practice using water and soap. The solutions used are registered with National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) Ministry of Health Malaysia (NPRA) to ensure adherence to international standard of practice. The manual decontamination practices are effective if strictly conducted following guidelines. However, the proper cleaning and decontamination of an ambulance is an important task that frequently overlooked. It creates a risk to healthcare providers and their patients for subsequent ambulance trip. To ensure the patient compartment is absent from multitudes of infectious pathogen especially Covid-19, is not only an escalating challenge for healthcare providers as it is an unseen, but also poses a real threat to them and their patient. The healthcare managers should consider technologies that can provide a safer, effective and more efficient cleaning and decontamination of an ambulances. We proposed to adapt a new approach of decontamination by using a vapour based disinfection method coupled with germicidal enhancement using ultra violet. It utilizes an EPA-approved hospital disinfectant to decontaminate surfaces in the patient care compartment after every patient transport. A nozzle, placed inside the patient care compartment, disperses a mist of disinfectant solution that designed to meet standard requirement. The enhancement of germicidal effect using an ultra violet ray will disinfect and ensure a free patient compartment from an infectious organism. This decontamination system directly integrated into a new or existing ambulance. It is convenient, timesaving, hands-off solution for decontaminating of an ambulance and importantly creates a safer practice.