Stethoscopes and nosocomial infection.
Stethoscopes are an essential tool of the medical profession and can become a source of nosocomial infection. A study conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital showed a high carriage of methicillin resistant staphylococcus (69.76%) and multi-drug resistant Gram negative bacilli (20.93%) on regularly used stethoscopes. The antibiogram of the bacterial isolates strongly suggested these to be nosocomial strains. A verbal survey revealed that regular cleaning is not common among doctors. A policy regarding cleaning of stethoscopes with an effective disinfectant may be helpful in reducing hospital-associated infections.
Sengupta
S
S
Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal.
Sirkar
A
A
Shivananda
P G
PG
D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D019023:Stethoscopes / Q000382:microbiology*