Stethoscope contamination in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The level of contamination of stethoscopes used in a neonatal intensive care unit was studied, along with the practices used for cleaning these items. A policy of alcohol cleaning was introduced and the effect of this change on the level of bacterial growth was observed after a six-week period. It was found that 71% of stethoscopes had a significant bacterial growth and that this was reduced to 30% after the cleaning procedure change (P < 0.05). Stethoscopes and other equipment are a potential source of nosocomial infection on the neonatal intensive care unit.
Wright
I M
IM
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Leeds General Infirmary, UK.
Orr
H
H
Porter
C
C
D000438:Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology; D001314:Auscultation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004739:England; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017053:Infection Control; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
D000438:Alcohols