The announced death of the sthethoscope, which is predicted to be replaced by more modern ultrasound devices, would not be such a bad thing. This essential tool in the paraphernalia of the doctor would convey a lot of germs. A study by Dr Didier Pittet, of the WHO in collaboration with the Geneva university hospitals, reveals that the diaphragm of the stethoscope harbors more bacteria than the hands of the doctors who handle them. Until now, the hands of practitioners were considered the main vectors of bacterial contamination in hospitals and doctor’s offices.
For this study, which appeared in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 71 patients were seen by doctors who used sterile gloves and stethoscopes. Bacteriological analyzes revealed that the diaphragm of the stethoscope, the part in contact with the patient’s skin, was covered with more microorganisms than the palms, fingertips and back of the practitioner’s hand. “Considering that stethoscopes are used repeatedly over the course of a day, come in direct contact with patients’ skin, and can carry several thousand bacteria collected during a previous exam, we consider it to be a potentially important vector of transmission, including Staphylococcus aureus, “explains Dr Pittet.
Disinfect stethoscopes after each use
Considering that stethoscopes are an extension of doctors’ hands, they should benefit from the same care, and be disinfected after each use.
