Stethoscope Hygiene: The Next Frontier in Infection Control? Prevention is also essential for antimicrobial stewardship (doctor, treat)

[mike1003]

https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion...un=g2189574d0r

In various observed interactions, the stethoscopes were disinfected only 18% to 55% of the time, and only a small percentage of these interactions were verified as conforming to the latest CDC guidelines. It has now been validated that this third hand carries the same burden of quality and quantity of organisms as the provider's other two hands, even after following the current disinfection practices. These include the microbes commonly associated with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), spores, difficult to treat organisms like multidrug resistant bacteria, viruses, and emerging resistant fungi like Candida auris.

MrsM and I has been telling (not asking) our Drs to disinfect their stethoscopes before they use them on us for years. Way before COVID

[steiconi]

One of my doctors slips a clean glove over his stethoscope each time. I bet they make special covers, too, but gloves are ubiquitous in medical settings.

[charmed hour]

I work in a med school. From day one of year one PE, students are instructed to use an alcohol swab on their steth before listening to heart/lungs.