Unclean Stethoscope - A Tool For Hospital Acquired Infection

Abstract

Indirect transmission of infection through stethoscopes is a part of nosocomial infection. It can be reduced by cleaning stethoscopes with 70% isopropyl alcohol routinely. Aims and objectives i) whether stethoscope act as a vector for HAI ii) to see effectiveness of commonly used antiseptic and iii) to check the cleaning habits of health care providers of their stethoscopes . Methods- The samples were collected from 65 stethoscopes of health care personnel working in different hospitals and Inoculation were obtained by pressing the diaphragm surface firmly on blood agar plate and MacConkey’s agar plate. Identification of organisms and antibiotic susceptibility testing were determined by standard conventional methods. Result- 31 pathogenic organisms were isolated from 65 stethoscope diaphragm. Most commonly isolated organisms were Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (15.40%). Five out of 31 pathogenic organisms were multidrug resistant. Conclusion- Routine cleaning of stethoscopes reduces the bacterial load and it should be a part of infection control practice.