title: Stethoscopes as potential intrahospital carriers of pathogenic microorganisms.
abstract: Stethoscopes can take part in the transmission of health care-associated infections. We cultured 112 stethoscopes by direct imprint on blood agar to estimate the prevalence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Forty-eight (47%) produced 50 potentially pathogenic microorganisms; from these, 43 (86%) were Staphylococcus aureus, of which 18 (42%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus. We concluded that stethoscopes should be considered as potential fomites and must be disinfected routinely before and after each patient contact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Nutrition, University of Guanajuato, León, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campos-Murguía
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Nutrition, University of Guanajuato, León, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ximena
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: León-Lara
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Nutrition, University of Guanajuato, León, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Nutrition, University of Guanajuato, León, Guanajuato, Mexico; National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition "Salvador Zubirán", Mexican Secretariat of Health, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alejandro E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Macías
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Nutrition, University of Guanajuato, León, Guanajuato, Mexico; Regional Hospital of High Specialty at Bajío, León, Guanajuato, México. Electronic address: alvarez_ja@me.com.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alvarez
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D019023:Stethoscopes / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Contamination; Disinfection; Fomites