Bacteria causing serious infections found on stethoscope, says study

It comes as rude shock to find out, that a stethoscope, one of the most recognisable tools carried by a healthcare professional is often crawling with bacteria, including some germs that cause serious infections.

Published in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the study found Staphylococcus, the bacteria responsible for staph infections were found in huge numbers, among other bacteria related to seriously-implicating infections.

The researchers used molecular sequencing in an intensive care unit to analyze the stethoscopes. The study included 20 traditional reusable stethoscopes and 20 single-patient-use disposable stethoscopes. These were compared to 10 disposable single-use stethoscopes, for the purpose of the study.

The researchers found that the 40 stethoscopes in the ICU were contaminated significantly with a diverse community of bacteria. However, it’s still subject to speculations that the stethoscopes ever made patients sick. The researchers added that despite wiping the stethoscopes with hydrogen peroxide swabs, the bacteria were not completely eliminated.

"This study underscores the importance of adhering to rigorous infection control procedures, including fully adhering to CDC-recommended decontamination procedures between patients, or using single-patient-use stethoscopes kept in each patient's room," senior study author Ronald Collman.

Collman added that future research related to this should focus more on finding a better disinfecting method for the tools and studying bacteria on other medical devices used on multiple patients.