Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes used by health workers: public health implications.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to assess both the potential for bacterial transmission by stethoscopes used by health-care workers in Nigeria and the implications for patient safety and control of hospital-acquired infections.


METHODS
A structured questionnaire was administered to health workers and the surface of the diaphragm of their stethoscopes swabbed for bacteriological analysis using standard techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Of the 107 stethoscopes surveyed, 84 (79%) were contaminated with bacteria; 59 (81%) of the contaminated stethoscopes belonged to physicians and 25 (74%) were from other health workers. Isolates included Staphylococcus aureus (54%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19%), Enterococcus faecalis (14%), and Escherichia coli (13%). All stethoscopes that had never been cleaned were contaminated while lower levels of contamination were found on those cleaned one week or less before the survey (chi(2) = 22.4, P < .05). Contamination was significantly higher on stethoscopes cleaned with only water (100%) compared to those cleaned with alcohol (49%) (chi(2) = 30.17, P < .05). Significantly fewer (9%) stethoscopes from health workers who washed their hands after seeing each patient were contaminated when compared with the instruments (86%) of those who did not practice hand washing (chi(2) = 23.79, P < .05). E. coli showed the highest antibiotic resistance, while S. aureus showed the highest antibiotic susceptibility. Strict adherence to stethoscope disinfection practices by health workers can minimize cross-contamination and ensure improved patient safety in hospital environments.
Uneke
Chigozie J
CJ
Department of Medical Microbiology/Parasitology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. unekecj@yahoo.com
Ogbonna
Annayo
A
Oyibo
Patrick G
PG
Onu
Christian M
CM
D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D019023:Stethoscopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004202:Disinfectants