tailieunhanh - The role of stethoscopes in the transmission of hospital infections

Among medical care equipments Stethoscope is one of the most frequently used device. Stethoscopes are mainly used by the health professionals for the assessment of the patients and have been reported to be one of the common vectors for the nosocomial infection in various parts of the world. The contamination of Stethoscope particularly the diaphragm is mainly reported due to the lack of regular disinfection. The objective of this study was Isolation and identification of the microorganisms responsible for nosocomial infection from the stethoscopes used by health care professionals and to know the antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolated microorganisms. The prospective study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Azamgarh. Samples were collected from the 100 stethoscopes of the clinicians and other health care personnel working in the Government Medical College, Azamgarh. Swab samples were taken from the surface of the diaphragm of each 100 stethoscopes. Swabs were cultured onto appropriate culture media, biochemical tests were performed for identification and antibiotic susceptibility test was done to know the pattern of resistance and multi drug resistant isolates. Out of 100, 88 stethoscopes were found to be contaminated with different microorganisms. CONS was the most frequently isolated organism followed by S. aureus, Micrococci, Bacillus spp, Candida spp, Pseudomonas spp, Aspergillus spp and Enterobacter spp. Gram positive isolates showed resistance towards Gentamicin, Clindamycin and Erythromycin. It is necessary to disinfect the stethoscope after each use. This is the only way to prevent dissemination. | The role of stethoscopes in the transmission of hospital infections