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Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes with antimicrobial diaphragm covers
Mark W Wood1, Ryan C Lund, Kurt B Stevenson
1Respiratory Therapy Department, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Boise, ID 83706, USA. markwood@sarmc.org
Abstract:
Antimicrobial stethoscope covers impregnated with silver ions have been developed to prevent surface contamination and potential transmission of bacterial pathogens to patients. To test their practical utility, covers were distributed with the manufacturers' recommendations to a mixed group of health care professionals in a medical/surgical intensive care unit and an emergency department. Seventy-four clinicians were selected from a convenience sample for surface cultures and standard questioning regarding cleaning and cover use. Surface colony counts were significantly lower for uncovered stethoscope diaphragms (mean, 71.4 colonies) compared with covers used
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