Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil University (Jan 2014)

The potential role of stethoscopes as a source of nosocomial infection

  • Neetu Gupta,
  • Nageswari Gandham,
  • Rabindra Nath Misra,
  • Savita Jadhav,
  • Mahadeo Ujgare,
  • Chanda Vyawahare

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-2870.126323
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 2
pp. 156 – 159

Abstract

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Background: Infectious diseases can be transmitted in various ways . Indirect transmission or vehicle-borne transmission of infection can occur through various agents like instruments, utensils, water, or food. In hospital settings, transmission of infection through contaminated medical devices is always a possibility. Stethoscope is the symbol of health professionals. However, the diaphragm and bells of the stethoscopes have been shown to harbor pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms. Aims: 1) To determine the degree of contamination of stethoscopes used by clinicians and nurses. 2) To identify various microbes from such contaminated stethoscopes and to assess their role as potential pathogens. 3) To determine the effectiveness of 70% ethanol as a disinfecting agent. Materials and Methods: Stethoscopes of 50 healthcare workers from different departments were included in the study. Bacteriological cultures of the samples were done on blood agar and MacConkey agar plates. Organisms were identified by conventional phenotypic methods. Antibiotic sensitivity test (ABST) of the microorganisms was performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: Average number of colonies on each stethoscope was 30 . Pathogenic microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter species, Citrobacter species, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Bacillus species, and Aspergillus fumigatus were identified. Among the potential pathogenic organisms, coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated. Numbers of colonies were highest among the stethoscopes sampled from surgery ward and Medical Intensive Care Unit MICU. Conclusion: Stethoscopes harbor potential pathogens capable of surviving on their surfaces. Despite their best intentions, health professionals can act as a vector for transmission of disease. Disinfecting procedures may be necessary between consecutive patients. Attention to simple preventive strategies can reduce the disease transmission rate.

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