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Stethoscopes and nosocomial infection

S Sengupta1, A Sirkar, P G Shivananda

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal.

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|June 6, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Medical stethoscopes frequently carry dangerous bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus and multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacilli. Implementing stethoscope cleaning policies could significantly reduce hospital-associated infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Healthcare Epidemiology

Background:

  • Stethoscopes are indispensable medical instruments.
  • They can act as vectors for nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections.
  • Previous research indicates potential for microbial contamination on stethoscopes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the bacterial contamination of stethoscopes used by healthcare professionals.
  • To identify the types of bacteria colonizing stethoscopes.
  • To evaluate the potential role of stethoscopes in the transmission of nosocomial infections.

Main Methods:

  • A study was conducted in a hospital's pediatric department.
  • Bacterial cultures were performed on regularly used stethoscopes.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (antibiogram) was used to characterize isolates.
  • A verbal survey assessed cleaning practices among doctors.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (69.76%) was found on stethoscopes.
  • Significant carriage of multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacilli (20.93%) was detected.
  • Bacterial isolates' antibiograms indicated a nosocomial origin.
  • A verbal survey revealed infrequent regular cleaning of stethoscopes by doctors.

Conclusions:

  • Regularly used stethoscopes harbor significant levels of resistant bacteria.
  • These findings highlight stethoscopes as a potential source of hospital-associated infections.
  • Establishing and enforcing stethoscope cleaning protocols is recommended to mitigate infection transmission.

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