Related Experiment Videos
Stethoscope: a friend or an enemy?
Maria Elisa Zuliani Maluf1, Andréa Fogli Maldonado, Marcos Eduardo Bercial
1Department of Morphology and Pathology, Center for Medical and Biological Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Praça Dr. José Ermirio de Moraes, 290 Sorocaba/SP, Brazil, CEP 18030-230. elisazuliani@bol.com.br
Sao Paulo Medical Journal = Revista Paulista De Medicina
|February 12, 2002
Summary
High rates of stethoscope contamination were found, with 87% of devices harboring bacteria, fungi, and yeast. This highlights the risk of stethoscopes spreading hospital-acquired infections if not properly disinfected.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Epidemiology
Background:
- Stethoscopes are essential medical tools frequently used in hospitals.
- Their direct patient contact makes them potential vectors for transmitting bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of bacteria, fungi, and yeast on stethoscope diaphragms.
- To assess the antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolated bacteria.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital.
- Samples were collected from 300 stethoscope diaphragms used by various healthcare professionals.
- Microbiological analysis included culture, Gram staining, biochemical assays, and antibiotic sensitivity testing (Kirby-Bauer method).
Main Results:
- Eighty-seven percent of stethoscopes showed microbial contamination.
- Commonly isolated microorganisms included Gram-positive cocci, yeasts, fungi, and Gram-positive/negative bacilli.
- Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and Bacillus species were frequently found, often in polymicrobial contamination.
Conclusions:
- Stethoscopes exhibit a high contamination rate, posing a significant risk for nosocomial infection transmission.
- Implementing strict disinfection protocols for stethoscopes is crucial to prevent the spread of infections.