References
- Álvarez JA, Ruíz SR, Mosqueda JL, León X, Arreguín V, Macías AE, Macias JH. Decontamination of stethoscope membranes with chlorhexidine: should it be recommended? Am J Infect Control. 2016 Nov;44(11):e205–e209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2016.07.012
- Arora HS, Kamat D, Choudhry S, Asmar BI, Abdel-Haq N. Are stethoscopes, coats, and pagers potential sources of healthcare associated infections? Glob Pediatr Health. 2020 Oct;7:2333794X20969285. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X20969285
- Bansal A, Sarath SR, Bhan BD, Gupta K, Purwar S. To assess the stethoscope cleaning practices, microbial load and efficacy of cleaning stethoscopes with alcohol-based disinfectant in a tertiary care hospital. J Infect Prev. 2019 Jan;20(1):46–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757177418802353
- Bukharie HA, Al-Zahrani H, Rubaish AM, Abdulmohsen MF. Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes. J Family Community Med. 2004 Jan;11(1):31–33.
- Bulanda M, Brzychczy-Włoch M. [Microbiology with parasitology. Script for 2nd year students of the faculty of medicine at the Jagiellonian University Medical College] (in Polish). Cracow (Poland): Krakowska Oficyna Naukowa Tekst; 2015.
- Campos-Murguía A, León-Lara X, Muñoz JM, Macías AE, Alvarez JA. Stethoscopes as potential intrahospital carriers of pathogenic microorganisms. Am J Infect Control. 2014 Jan;42(1):82–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2013.06.015
- CDC, FDA. Immediate need for healthcare facilities to review procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing reusable medical devices [Internet]. HAN 2015;382 [cited 2019 Jan 12]. Available from https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/34153
- Choi SM, Kim SH, Kim HJ, Lee DG, Choi JH, Yoo JH, Kang JH, Shin WS, Kang MW. Multiplex PCR for the detection of genes encoding aminoglycoside modifying enzymes and methicillin resistance among Staphylococcus species. J Korean Med Sci. 2003 Oct; 18(5):631–636. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2003.18.5.631
- Crespo MP, Woodford N, Sinclair A, Kaufmann ME, Turton J, Glover J, Velez JD, Castañeda CR, Recalde M, Livermore DM. Outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing VIM-8, a novel metallo-beta-lactamase, in a tertiary care center in Cali, Colombia. J Clin Microbiol. 2004 Nov;42(11):5094–5101. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.42.11.5094-5101.2004
- Datta P, Kaur M, Rawat S, Gupta V, Chander J. Stethoscope, “the friendly foe” – a study to evaluate bacterial contamination of stethoscopes and disinfection practices. J Infect Dev Ctries. 2018 Oct; 12(10):887–893. https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.10128
- Drakulovic MB, Bauer TT, Torres A, Gonzalez J, Rodríguez MJ, Angrill J. Initial bacterial colonization in patients admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit: bacteriological pattern and risk factors. Respiration. 2001;68(1):58–66. https://doi.org/10.1159/000050464
- Dutra LGB, Neto HBN, Nedel FB, Lobo EA. [Prevalence of bacteria contamination on stethoscopes] (in Portuguese). Rev Inst Adolfo Lutz. 2013;72(2):155–160.
- EUCAST. EUCAST guideline for the detection of resistance mechanisms and specific resistances of clinical and/or epidemiological importance. Version 2.0. Basel (Switzerland): The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing; 2017 [cited 2019 Jan 12]. Available from https://www.eucast.org/resistance_mechanisms
- EUCAST. The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Breakpoint tables for interpretation of MICs and zone diameters. Version 8.0. Basel (Switzerland): The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing; 2018.
- Fafliora E, Bampalis VG, Lazarou N, Mantzouranis G, Anastassiou ED, Spiliopoulou I, Christofidou M. Bacterial contamination of medical devices in a Greek emergency department: impact of physicians’ cleaning habits. Am J Infect Control. 2014 Jul;42(7):807–809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2014.03.017
- Fenelon L, Holcroft L, Waters N. Contamination of stethoscopes with MRSA and current disinfection practices. J Hosp Infect. 2009 Apr;71(4):376–378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2008.11.009
- Gaisser DJ, Lowey SE, Barbel P. An examination and comparison of stethoscope hygiene in nursing education programs. J Nurs Educ. 2021 May;60(5):277–280. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20210420-07
- Gazibara T, Radovanovic S, Maric G, Rancic B, Kisic-Tepavcevic D, Pekmezovic T. Stethoscope hygiene: practice and attitude of medical students. Med Princ Pract. 2015;24(6):509–514. https://doi.org/10.1159/000434753
- Grandiere-Perez L, Bovet J, Beaudron A, Saulnier P, Blanchi S, Delemotte M, Ramanantsoa C. Efficacy of an ethanol-based hand sanitizer for disinfection of stethoscopes. J Hosp Infect. 2015 Oct; 91(2):183–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2015.05.018
- Haddad F, Bousselmi J, Mrabet A, Ben Fadhel K. Are our stethoscopes contaminated? Tunis Med. 2019 Nov;97(11):1224–1228.
- Johani K, Abualsaud D, Costa DM, Hu H, Whiteley G, Deva A, Vickery K. Characterization of microbial community composition, antimicrobial resistance and biofilm on intensive care surfaces. J Infect Public Health. 2018 May–Jun;11(3):418–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2017.10.005
- Kalra S, Amin A, Albert N, Cadwell C, Edmonson C, Gaynes R, Hand M, Marinella M, Morely C, Sieck S, et al. Stethoscope hygiene: A call to action. Recommendations to update the CDC guidelines. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2021 Jun;42(6):740–742. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2021.115
- Kawalec A, Kawalec A, Pawlas K. [Compliance with hygiene procedures among medical faculty students] (in Polish). Med Pr. 2014; 65(5):593–599. https://doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.00059
- Knecht VR, McGinniss JE, Shankar HM, Clarke EL, Kelly BJ, Imai I, Fitzgerald AS, Bittinger K, Bushman FD, Collman RG. Molecular analysis of bacterial contamination on stethoscopes in an intensive care unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2019 Feb; 40(2):171–177. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2018.319
- Laupland KB, Pasquill K, Parfitt EC, Steele L. Bloodstream infection due to β-hemolytic streptococci: a population-based comparative analysis. Infection. 2019 Dec;47(6):1021–1025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-019-01356-9
- Lee R, Choi SM, Jo SJ, Han S, Park YJ, Choi MA, Kong BK. A quasi-experimental study on stethoscopes contamination with multidrug-resistant bacteria: its role as a vehicle of transmission. PLoS One. 2021 Apr;16(4):e0250455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250455
- Likert R. A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Arch Psychol. 1932 Jun;22(140):3–55.
- Martín Guerra JM, Martín Asenjo M, Rodríguez Martín C. Bacteraemia by Micrococcus luteus in an inmunocompromised patient. Med Clin. 2019 Jun 7;152(11):469–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medcle.2019.04.008
- Messina G, Spataro G, Rosadini D, Burgassi S, Mariani L, Tani M, Cevenini G. A novel approach to stethoscope hygiene: a coat-pocket innovation. Infect Dis Health. 2018 Jul;23(4):211–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2018.06.002
- Millán-Lou MI, López C, Bueno J, Pérez-Laguna V, Lapresta C, Fuertes ME, Rite S, Santiago M, Romo M, Samper S, et al. Successful control of Serratia marcescens outbreak in a neonatal unit of a tertiary-care hospital in Spain. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed). 2022 May;40(5):248–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2021.05.014
- Murchan S, Kaufmann ME, Deplano A, de Ryck R, Struelens M, Zinn CE, Fussing V, Salmenlinna S, Vuopio-Varkila J, El Solh N, et al. Harmonization of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis protocols for epidemiological typing of strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a single approach developed by consensus in 10 European laboratories and its application for tracing the spread of related strains. J Clin Microbiol. 2003 Apr;41(4):1574–1585. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.41.4.1574-1585.2003
- Napolitani M, Bezzini D, Moirano F, Bedogni C, Messina G. Methods of disinfecting stethoscopes: systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Mar;17(6):1856. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17061856
- Neff A, Chok L, von Both U, Matt U, Tarnutzer A, Andreoni F, van der Linden M, Plock JA, Bühler PK, Brugger SD, et al. Characterisation of clinical manifestations and treatment strategies for invasive beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections in a Swiss tertiary hospital. Swiss Med Wkly. 2020 Dec;150:w20378. https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2020.20378
- Parmar RC, Valvi CC, Sira P, Kamat JR. A prospective, randomised, double-blind study of comparative efficacy of immediate versus daily cleaning of stethoscope using 66% ethyl alcohol. Indian J Med Sci. 2004 Oct;58(10):423–430.
- Peacock WF, Chemaly RF, Torriani F, Shahid Z, Dawal S. A new normal for the clinician’s third hand: stethoscope hygiene and infection prevention. Am J Infect Control. 2023 Jan;51(1):114–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2022.10.005
- Pittet D. Improving adherence to hand hygiene practice: a multidisciplinary approach. Emerg Infect Dis. 2001 Mar–Apr;7(2):234–240. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0702.010217
- Queiroz Júnior JRA, Melo IO, Calado GHDS, Cavalcanti LRC, Sobrinho CRW. Identification and resistance profile of bacteria isolated on stethoscopes by health care professionals: systematic review. Am J Infect Control. 2021 Feb;49(2):229–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.07.007
- Raksha GS, Urhekar AD, Arif D, Nissar J. Stethoscopes: a vector of hospital acquired infections? Int J Univ Pharm Bio Sci. 2014 Mar-Apr; 3:176–185.
- Sahiledengle B. Stethoscope disinfection is rarely done in Ethiopia: what are the associated factors? PLoS One. 2019 Jun;14(6):e0208365. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208365
- Saunders C, Hryhorskyj L, Skinner J. Factors influencing stethoscope cleanliness among clinical medical students. J Hosp Infect. 2013 Jul;84(3):242–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2013.04.003
- Steward CD, Raney PM, Morrell AK, Williams PP, McDougal LK, Jevitt L, McGowan JE Jr, Tenover FC. Testing for induction of clindamycin resistance in erythromycin-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Apr;43(4):1716–1721. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.43.4.1716-1721.2005
- Thapa S, Sapkota LB. Bacteriological assessment of stethoscopes used by healthcare workers in a tertiary care centre of Nepal. BMC Res Notes. 2017 Jul;10(1):353. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-017-2677-7
- Torres-Ballesteros LA, Rodríguez-Sáenz AY, Mendieta-Vergara JA. Hygiene behaviors in the use of stethoscopes of students of a medicine program of the city of Tunja, Colombia. Med Lab. 2017; 23(05–06): 249–256.
- Tschopp C, Schneider A, Longtin Y, Renzi G, Schrenzel J, Pittet D. Predictors of heavy stethoscope contamination following a physical examination. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2016 Jun;37(6): 673–679. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2016.40
- Uneke CJ, Ogbonna A, Oyibo PG, Ekuma U. Bacteriological assessment of stethoscopes used by medical students in Nigeria: implications for nosocomial infection control. World Health Popul. 2008;10(4):53–61.
- Vasudevan R, Shin JH, Chopyk J, Peacock WF, Torriani FJ, Maisel AS, Pride DT. Aseptic barriers allow a clean contact for contaminated stethoscope diaphragms. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes. 2020 Feb;4(1):21–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.10.010
- Vasudevan RS, Mojaver S, Chang KW, Maisel AS, Frank Peacock W, Chowdhury P. Observation of stethoscope sanitation practices in an emergency department setting. Am J Infect Control. 2019 Mar;47(3):234–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2018.08.028
- Whittington AM, Whitlow G, Hewson D, Thomas C, Brett SJ. Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes on the intensive care unit. Anaesthesia. 2009 Jun;64(6):620-624. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2044.2009.05892.x
- WHO. Practical guidelines for infection control in health care facilities [Internet]. Manila (Philippines): WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific; 2004 [cited 2019 Jan 12]. Available from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/206946
- Zhu M, Zhu Q, Yang Z, Liang Z. Clinical characteristics of patients with Micrococcus luteus bloodstream infection in a Chinese tertiary-care hospital. Pol J Microbiol. 2021 Sep;70(3):321–326. https://doi.org/10.33073/pjm-2021-030