The stethoscope in the emergency department: a vector of infection?

The purposes of this study were to determine whether microorganisms can be isolated from the membranes of stethoscopes used by clinicians and nurses, and to analyse whether or not the degree of bacterial colonization could be reduced with different cleaning methods. We designed a transversal before- after study in which 122 stethoscopes were examined. Coagulase negative sta phylococci (which are also potentially pathogenic microorganisms) were isol ated together with 13 other potentially pathogenic microorganisms, includin g S. aureus, Acinetobacter sp. and Enterobacter agglomerans. The most effec tive antiseptic was propyl alcohol. Analysis of the cleaning habits of the Emergency Department (ED) staff, showed that 45 % cleaned the stethoscope a nnually or never. The isolation of potentially pathogenic microorganisms su ggests that the stethoscope must be considered as a potential vector of inf ection not only in the ED but also in other hospital wards and out-patient clinics.