Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes. 2020 Feb 05;4(1):21-30. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.10.010. eCollection 2020 Feb.
Aseptic Barriers Allow a Clean Contact for Contaminated Stethoscope Diaphragms.
Mayo Clinic proceedings. Innovations, quality & outcomes
Rajiv Vasudevan, Ji H Shin, Jessica Chopyk, William F Peacock, Francesca J Torriani, Alan S Maisel, David T Pride
Affiliations
Affiliations
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, TX.
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, TX.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
PMID: 32055768
PMCID: PMC7010972 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.10.010
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a single-use stethoscope diaphragm barrier surface remains aseptic when placed on pathogen-contaminated stethoscopes.
METHODS: From May 31 to August 5, 2019, we tested 2 separate barriers using 3 different strains of 7 human pathogens, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing
RESULTS: For all diaphragms with either of the 2 barriers tested, no growth was recorded for any of the pathogens. Stethoscopes with aseptic barriers remained sterile for up to 24 hours. These single-use barriers also provided aseptic surfaces when stethoscope diaphragms were inoculated with human specimens, including saliva, stool, urine, and sputum.
CONCLUSION: Disposable aseptic diaphragm barriers may provide robust and efficient solutions to reduce transmission of pathogens via stethoscopes.
© 2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: B+, stethoscope diaphragms with disc barriers; BC, disc barriers colonized with microorganisms; B−, colonized diaphragms without disc barriers; CFU, colony-forming unit; Ctrl, control; ESBL, extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Escherichia coli; HAI, health care–associated infection; HP, health care provider; MDR, multidrug resistant; MDRO, multidrug-resistant organism; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; VRE, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus
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