A stethoscope is an essential diagnostic tool in a
physician’s armamentarium. It is also the most recognizable sign of the medical
profession. But, now they are gaining another new identity, as potential routes
of infection transmission.
Failure of stethoscope hygiene is becoming a common cause
of transmission of infection. Evidence shows stethoscopes as capable of also
transmitting potentially resistant bacteria, including
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
A new study published online Dec. 12, 2018 in the Infection
Control & Hospital Epidemiology has added to the growing evidence of
stethoscopes as carriers of infection.
The study found that stethoscopes carried by doctors in
an ICU, which are used on multiple patients, are significantly contaminated
with a rich and diverse community of bacteria that includes organisms associated
with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). And, among
these, Staphylococcus was ubiquitous and had the highest relative
abundance. On a set of 40 stethoscopes in use in an ICU, all 40
had a high abundance of Staphylococcus bacteria, with "definitive" S.
aureus bacteria present on 24 of 40 stethoscopes tested.
The study also investigated the impact of cleaning on
bacterial contamination but the results were not very encouraging. While
cleaning of stethoscopes – by either standardized or practitioner-preferred
methods - did reduce bacterial contamination levels, but the levels of clean
stethoscopes were attained only in few cases.
Stethoscopes become contaminated after each patient use.
Hence, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that
re-usable medical equipment, such as stethoscopes, must undergo disinfection
between patients.
This study reiterates the need for strict infection
control practices and adhering to recommended guidelines for decontamination
procedures in between patients. Or,
single-patient-use stethoscopes can be used to prevent cross
contamination.
(Source: Medscape; Infection Control & Hospital
Epidemiology. 2018; DOI:10.1017/ice.2018.319)
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
President Elect Confederation of Medical
Associations in Asia and Oceania
(CMAAO)
Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President Heart Care Foundation of India
Immediate Past National President IMA
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