CDC recommends the best practice for isolation stethoscopes is the one- time- use protocol.
Most hospitals have not adopted this practice, given the costs that would incur.
CDC recommends healthcare workers clean their stethoscope after each use.
Studies show healthcare providers are not regularly cleaning their stethoscopes after use on each patient.
Healthcare providers share contaminated isolation stethoscopes and contaminate each other and subsequent patients.
One study showed covering the stethoscope diaphragm was more effective than sanitizing the stethoscope.
Covered stethoscopes had much less bioburden then those sanitized after use.
Here’s HOW the ScopeShield Gown works.
Here’s WHY the ScopeShield Gown works.
Problem with stethoscope covers
Added costs
Don’t cover the stethoscope tubing and ear pieces
Extra packages and storage space
Polyethylene isolation gown
Light weight
Thumb loop
Waist ties
Impervious
Classification AAMI level I, II
Why ScopeShield?
Stethoscopes are notoriously contaminated and lead to nosocomial infections (see studies below)
Isolation stethoscopes are an added cost and of low quality compared to healthcare providers' own stethoscopes
Isolation stethoscopes are left in the patient's room during their entire hospital stay and are themselves contaminated. Healthcare providers contaminate themselves with isolation stethoscopes then move on to contaminate subsequent patients.
Some healthcare providers end up using a glove to cover the stethoscope diaphragm if the isolation stethoscope is not tin the room. The glove does not cover the tubing and ear pieces so to remove the scope from the ears and from the gloves the healthcare provider ends up touching the scope with hands that had already touched the patient thereby contaminating their stethoscope and moving on to examine subsequent patients.
Studies show health providers do not clean their stethoscopes or isolation stethoscopes as recommended after each use.
The stethoscope covers that are on the market are an extra prop providers need to use and are an added cost for the hospital, with extra package to store
Ultimate goal
Build hospital in Haiti for rural poor with little to no access to healthcare
Manufacture in Haiti to provide poor Haitian with sustainable income to support families, send children to school to secure future generation
Would you join us on this mission?
References
Jones JS, Hoerle D, Riekse R, Haley R, Culver D, White J, et al. Stethoscopes: A Potential Vector of Infection? Ann Emerg Med. Elsevier; 1995 Sep [cited 2016 May 24];26(3):296–9.
Bernard L, Kereveur A, Durand D, Gonot J, Goldstein F, Mainardi JL, et al. Bacterial contamination of hospital physicians’ stethoscopes. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1999 Sep [cited 2016 May 24];20(9):626–8.
Longtin Y, Schneider A, Tschopp C, Renzi G, Gayet-Ageron A, Schrenzel J, et al. Contamination of Stethoscopes and Physicians’ Hands After a Physical Examination. Mayo Clin Proc. Elsevier; 2014 Mar [cited 2016 May 24];89(3):291–9.
Whittington AM, Whitlow G, Hewson D, Thomas C, Brett SJ. Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes on the intensive care unit. Anaesthesia . Blackwell Publishing Ltd; 2009 Jun [cited 2016 May 24];64(6):620–4.
Bukharie HA, Al-Zahrani H, Rubaish AM, Abdulmohsen MF. Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes. J Family Community Med. 2004 Jan [cited 2016 May 26];11(1):31-3.
