Highlights
- •Stethoscopes were disinfected in 72 of 400 observed encounters (18%).
- •Only 15 of the observed disinfections (3.8% of 400 encounters) were compliant with US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
- •No stethoscopes were disinfected before use near open chest or abdominal wounds.
- •Hands were cleaned before and after encounters only 27 times (6.8% of 400).
- •Hands were not cleaned at all in 58% of encounters, although gloves were often worn.
Background
Stethoscopes can be microorganism reservoirs. The US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) has published medical equipment disinfection guidelines to minimize
infection transmission risk, but studies of guideline adherence have been predominately
survey based, with little direct observation of disinfection practices.
Methods
We performed an observational, cross-sectional, anonymous study of patient-provider
interactions, assessing practitioners’ frequency and methods of stethoscope and hand
disinfection practices.
Results
Stethoscopes were disinfected in 18% of 400 observed interactions, with less than
4% verified as conforming to CDC guidelines. None was disinfected before patient examinations
involving open chest or abdominal wounds, as recommended by the CDC. Hands were cleaned
before and after encounters 27 times (6.8%) but were not cleaned at all in 231 (58%)
encounters, although gloves were worn in 197 (85.3%) of these cases.
Discussion
Stethoscope disinfection is grossly overlooked, possibly jeopardizing patient safety,
particularly in acute care interactions. Periodic stethoscope disinfection, although
inconvenient, helps reduce bacterial contamination and may reduce health care–associated
infections.
Conclusions
Stethoscopes were disinfected per CDC guidelines in less than 4% of encounters and
were not disinfected at all in 82% of encounters. Although hands were rarely cleaned
(6.8%) per CDC guidelines, gloves were usually worn, but no convenient stethoscope
equivalent exists. Stethoscope cleanliness must be addressed.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 02, 2018
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: None to report.
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
