Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
Implementation of stethoscope disinfection: an observational study on nursing staff practice and knowledge
Seda Şahan1, Sevil Güler2, Emine Korkmaz3
1İzmir Bakircay University, Health Sciences Faculty, Nursing Department, İzmir, Turkey.
Background:
Healthcare-associated infections cause high mortality and morbidity, and lack of stethoscope disinfection is one of the reasons for healthcare-associated infections. Nurses who frequently use stethoscopes in the clinic do not disinfect stethoscopes at high rates. This study aimed to identify the frequency of stethoscope disinfection by nurses and their knowledge about the same.
Methods:
This was a mixed-methods observational study. The quantitative part of the study included 202 nurses, the qualitative part included 12. Two researchers who made observations during stethoscope use recorded the procedures the nurses performed on the "Observation Form". Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted based on phenomenological methods.
Results:
23.7% of the nurses disinfected their stethoscopes before contact with patients, 11.8% after contact with patients and 6.4% before and after contact with patients. The nurses used a stethoscope on an average of 7.42 patients without disinfecting it. In the qualitative interview, some nurses stated that they did not have information about the disinfectants to be used for stethoscopes and their effectiveness. Some of the participants in the present study stated that they did not receive training on stethoscope disinfection and that they did not know that there were guidelines about it.
Conclusion:
Since there were deficiencies in the implementation of stethoscope disinfection as well as knowledge, the transfer of knowledge in this context must receive more attention in education and training.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Tracheostomy Care II: Procedure
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene, and put on personal protective equipment: gown, gloves, mask...
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:23Hand hygiene
Hand washing...
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...