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A thorough literature search failed to locate any research that examined paramedic knowledge of the aetiology and transmission of infectious disease in ambulance care specific to the Australian setting. The literature review located a large body of research in the nursing, medical and dental disciplines. Isolated studies have been conducted in the United States examining Emergency Medical Technicians’ (EMTs) knowledge of infection control and infectious diseases. Mencl et al. surveyed 425 EMTs on knowledge of transmission of four infectious diseases, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis, meningitis and tuberculosis. Questions about knowledge of universal precautions, transmission routes and postexposure actions, and items examining personal concerns about infectious diseases were surveyed. Mencl et al. [2] found poor knowledge of universal precautions, transmission routes and postexposure action and argued for further continuing EMT education in these areas focusing on routes of transmission, risk of exposure, appropriate use of postexposure prophylaxis and requirements for follow-up testing.

In another study in the US, Eutis [3] reported poor compliance with recommendations for universal precautions among prehospital providers. Inadequate knowledge and prevention of occupational exposure of HIV and AIDS among pre-hospital personnel was reported by Gellert et al. They recommended the introduction of additional education and training programs for pre-hospital emergency staff. Cydulka et al. assessed the knowledge base of 420 paramedics on knowledge of AIDS and hepatitis B after conducting an education seminar in a large metropolitan US fire department and reported an improvement. No study has, however, examined knowledge of infectious disease aetiology and transmission, or indeed infection control practices in general, in the Australian pre-hospital context. Infection control research to date has been discipline, context and location specific. This study sought to examine paramedics in an Australian setting in terms of regards to standards of infection control, specifically standard and additional precautions as defined by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) [5] and paramedics’ knowledge of infectious diseases.

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