Prevalence of bacteria contamination on stethoscopes

Abstract

The stethoscope is widely used by doctors and health professionals for clinical examination of patients, and this medical device can act as vehicle for transmitting microorganisms from a patient to another. Thus, the present study evaluated the prevalence of bacterial contamination on stethoscopes used in different health units in Santa Cruz do Sul, RS; the stethoscopes cleaning practices utilized by users; the degree of information of health professional on the cleaning and disinfection procedures. An observational cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted in 2011, analyzing 81 stethoscopes used by professionals in the pediatric and adult primary care units and intensive care units, and a specific questionnaire was applied. Of 81 stethoscopes, 96.2 % were contaminated, and Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently found microorganism; and 55.2 % of professionals stated that they do the disinfection of the stethoscopes, being 58.8 % physicians and 52.3 % nursing professionals. Besides, 85.7 % of nurses and 64.7 % of physicians stated that they had not received any guidance on the stethoscopes cleaning and sterilization procedures from the institution where they work. The significant prevalence of bacterial contamination detected in the analyzed stethoscopes (96.2 %) demonstrates the occurrence of a potential risk of transmission of nosocomial infections.