Dirty stethoscopes increase chance of spreading infections

Next time when you visit your doctor make sure that the stethoscope at least looks clean. Scientists have warned that using dirty stethoscopes on patients may increase their risk of contracting infections by antibiotic resistant superbugs.

Researchers from Yale University in the US say they found healthcare providers rarely perform stethoscope hygiene between patient encounters, despite its importance for infection prevention.

They conducted a quality improvement pilot project in which they observed stethoscope hygiene (alcohol swabs, alcohol gel, or disinfectant wipes) at the start of a four-week rotation for medical students and physicians at an academic teaching hospital. None of those observed was found to be performing stethoscope hygiene.

Potential pathogens cultured from stethoscopes include Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium difficile, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

A previous study found that stethoscopes were capable of transmitting potentially resistant bacteria.

If you find your doctor’s stethoscope unclean next time; politely tell him.