Investigating stethoscope hygiene practices and bacterial contamination among medical trainees: an educational...

The stethoscope, crucial in medical diagnosis, links doctors and patients. With the threat of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), understanding stethoscope contamination and medical students' awareness is imperative. This study conducted from September to December 2022, the research involved 293 stethoscopes from three hospitals in the West Bank. Questionnaires probed students' practices, and Staphylococcus spp isolations were analyzed. Contamination rates, bacterial species, associations with disinfection practices and other hospital factors were explored. Stethoscope contamination rate was high in the three hospitals (range: 26.5-50.8 CFU/cm²). Staphylococcus spp contaminated 36.9% of stethoscopes. Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant S. aureus (VRSA) occurred in 16.6% and 1.8% respectively. 36% exhibited resistance to two or more antibiotics. The study revealed significant findings regarding stethoscope contamination. Only 29.4% of stethoscopes used by those who disinfected between patients conformed to permissible contamination levels, in contrast to a markedly greater 60.7% among those who did not disinfect (P < 0.05). Reminders for disinfection in study units resulted in a 32.1% acceptable rate, whereas units without reminders had a significantly higher 67.9% rate (P < 0.001). Stethoscope usage also played a role, with a 34.4% acceptable rate for those examining only patients, compared to a significantly higher 65.8% rate for those examining both patients and peers (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were observed in hospital, rotation, year-wise, disinfection frequency, and the presence of reminders. Improving stethoscope disinfection practices is crucial to improving patient safety and infection control. Recommendations include the implementation of standard protocols, the use of effective disinfectants, the education of health professionals and the integration of routine disinfection into workflows. These measures significantly reduce hospital infections and promote a safety culture, promoting patient confidence and improving health results.