Stethoscopes as a Source of Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Russell, Abigail; Secrest, Janet; Schreeder, Carolyn

doi:10.1016/j.jopan.2012.01.004

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Although isopropyl alcohol reduced contamination, it was not more effective than an ethanol-based cleaner [ 21 ]. Furthermore, a recent study reported that isopropyl alcohol did not decrease methicillin-resistant S. aureus stethoscope counts [ 22 ]. Bearing in mind that a variety of antiseptic agents are available and are inexpensive, regular stethoscope disinfection should become habitual practice among health care workers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stethoscope Hygiene: Practice and Attitude of Medical Students

et al. 2015

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency and attitude of medical students towards cleaning their stethoscopes. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the first week of December 2013. The study included 771 students (397 in their fourth and 374 in their sixth year) from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to students before the start of compulsory lessons in classrooms. Results: 317 of the 397 fourth-year students (79.8%) and 306 of the 374 sixth-year students (81.9%) cleaned their stethoscope. The stethoscope diaphragm was most commonly cleaned, while the flexible tubing was the least commonly cleaned area, mainly using ethyl alcohol-based agents. The strongest positive attitude was observed for the statement ‘It is important that my stethoscope is clean' (4.3 out of 5.0). A positive correlation (Spearman's ρ = 0.105) was observed between a higher frequency of cleaning and the stronger positive notion that a stethoscope should be cleaned. Conclusion: A considerably high proportion of the students studied had ever cleaned their stethoscopes. Based on the students' responses, it would be useful to implement instructions on stethoscope hygiene in the regular practical curriculum with the aim of applying stethoscope disinfection in daily work.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stethoscope Hygiene: Practice and Attitude of Medical Students

et al. 2015

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“…The bacterial infections associated with primary surface colonization include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Gram-negative organisms, such as Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii, which prevail in the hospital environment for extended periods, i.e., months, in viable form. Contaminated objects include hospital bed rails and bed linen, mattresses, patients' gowns and clothing, curtains, overbed tables, and stethoscopes (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). These pathogens may survive on dry surfaces for extended periods and thus facilitate transmission between patients and health care workers (14).…”

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confidence: 99%

Cold Air Plasma To Decontaminate Inanimate Surfaces of the Hospital Environment

Cahill

Claro

O’Connor

et al. 2014

Appl Environ Microbiol

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The hospital environment harbors bacteria that may cause health care-associated infections. Microorganisms, such as multiresistant bacteria, can spread around the patient's inanimate environment. Some recently introduced biodecontamination approaches in hospitals have significant limitations due to the toxic nature of the gases and the length of time required for aeration. This study evaluated the in vitro use of cold air plasma as an efficient alternative to traditional methods of biodecontamination of hospital surfaces. Cultures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii were applied to different materials similar to those found in the hospital environment. Artificially contaminated sections of marmoleum, mattress, polypropylene, powder-coated mild steel, and stainless steel were then exposed to a cold air pressure plasma single jet for 30 s, 60 s, and 90 s, operating at approximately 25 W and 12 liters/min flow rate. Direct plasma exposure successfully reduced the bacterial load by log 3 for MRSA, log 2.7 for VRE, log 2 for ESBL-producing E. coli, and log 1.7 for A. baumannii. The present report confirms the efficient antibacterial activity of a cold air plasma single-jet plume on nosocomial bacterially contaminated surfaces over a short period of time and highlights its potential for routine biodecontamination in the clinical environment.

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“…Our study findings revealed S. aureus resistant to methicillin in all samples and this may well contribute an important reservoir of infection in asymptomatic patients. 17,18 Equivalent findings from India demonstrated a high incidence of MRSA (70%) and 21% multi-drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli on stethoscopes. 19 In contrast, MRSA was not isolated from sample stethoscopes in an Irish study, probably due to commitment to reliable disinfection practices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacterial contamination and stethoscope disinfection practices: a cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers in Karachi, Pakistan

et al. 2017

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Stethoscopes routinely used for clinical examination of patients may potentially transfer micro-organisms and cause iatrogenic infections. This study was undertaken to detect the presence of microorganisms on stethoscopes used clinically in hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan and to ascertain the infection control practices of healthcare workers (HCWs). In a cross-sectional study, 118 samples were collected from public and private institutions. Samples were tested for the presence and sensitivity of pathogenic microorganisms. Microorganisms were found on diaphragms of 33/64 (51.6%) and 19/57 (33.3%) stethoscopes in public and private sector hospitals, respectively. Methycillin resistance was identified in all staphylococcally contaminated samples. Only 33 (18%) respondents reported cleaning their stethoscopes regularly. We highlight the need for more and better on-the-job routines for decontaminating stethoscopes among HCWs in Karachi.

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Stethoscopes as a Source of Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Cited by 20 publications

References 13 publications

Stethoscope Hygiene: Practice and Attitude of Medical Students

Stethoscope Hygiene: Practice and Attitude of Medical Students

Cold Air Plasma To Decontaminate Inanimate Surfaces of the Hospital Environment

Bacterial contamination and stethoscope disinfection practices: a cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers in Karachi, Pakistan

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