Bacterial contamination, bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolates from stethoscopes at Jimma University Specialized Hospital

Abstract

IntroductionHospital acquired infections are recognized as critical public health problems. Infections are frequently caused by organisms residing in healthcare environment, including contaminated medical equipment like Stethoscopes.ObjectiveTo determine bacterial contamination, bacterial profile and anti-microbial susceptibility pattern of the isolates from stethoscopes at Jimma University Specialized Hospital.MethodologyCross-sectional study conducted from May to September 2011 at Jimma University Specialized Hospital. One hundred seventy-six stethoscopes owned by Health Care Workers (HCWs) and Medical students were randomly selected and studied. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data. Specimen was collected using moisten sterile cotton swab and 1 ml normal saline was used to transport the specimen, all laboratory investigations were done following standard microbiological techniques, at Microbiology Laboratory, Jimma University. SPSS windows version 16 used for data analysis and P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: A total, of 151 (85.8%) stethoscopes were contaminated. A total of 256 bacterial strains and a mean of 1.44×104 CFUs/diaphragm of stethoscopes was isolated. Of the 256 isolates, 133 (52%) were potential pathogens like S. aureus, Klebsiella spp., Citrobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp., P. aeruginosa and E. coli. All strains were resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics (two to eight classes of antibiotics). Disinfection practice was poor. Disinfection practice was found to be associated with bacterial contamination of stethoscopes (P < 0.05). High contamination rate 100 (90.9%) was observed among stethoscopes that had never been disinfected; while the least contamination 29 (72.2%) was found on those disinfected a week or less before the survey.ConclusionBacterial contamination of the stethoscope was significant. The isolates were potential pathogens and resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics. Stethoscope is potential vehicle in the transmission of infections between patients and Healthcare Workers. Stethoscope diaphragm should be disinfected before and after each patient contact.

Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes in university hospitals: Multicenter study

“…The percentage of contaminated stethoscopes (in Belgrade 98.4%, in Barcelona 100%) is similar to the information found in other studies of similar design (79%-100%) [10,11,12,13]. The data from Benha (46.67%) show that their stethoscopes are less drastically contami-…”

“…The research showed that great majority (91.8%) physicians who took part don't disinfect their stethoscope frequently enough. The data don't differ from the information found in previous researches which show that 97%-100% physicians don't disinfect their stethoscopes regularly [10,11].…”

Eficácia Do Álcool Gel Na Desinfecção De Estetoscópios Contaminados Por Staphylococcus Aureus Resistente À Meticilina

“…Resultados semelhantes foram encontrados em hospitais da América do Norte, África, Oriente Médio, Índia e Reino Unido. 1,2,[5][6][7][8]15,16 Estudo realizado no Rio Grande do Sul demonstrou que a contaminação dos (50%), sendo a outra metade distribuída entre médicos preceptores, técnicos em enfermagem, médicos residentes, enfermeiros e fisioterapeutas (Tabela 1). Após a desinfecção dos estetoscópios com álcool gel, foi constatada uma redução de 71,44% da contaminação geral por microrganismos.…”

“…[5][6][7] Apesar de simples, a frequente deficiência na limpeza dos estetoscópios pode comprometera segurança dos pacientes e do próprio profissional de saúde. 1,2,8 A contaminação bacteriana de estetoscópios utilizados por profissionais de saúde pode ser superior a 80% e, o uso de álcool gel, iodopovidona (PVPI) 10%, álcool etílico hidratado 70% e clorexidina 4% mostraram-se efetivos na higienização e desinfecção.…”

Bacterial colonization of stethoscope used in the tertiary care teaching hospital: a potential source of nosocomial infection

“…The bacterial species isolated were gram positive bacteria (40%) like MRSA (14%), MSSA (12%), CNS (14%), whereas gram negative bacilli only one genus Klebsiella was isolated (20%) which is like the study conducted by Shiferaw T et al, where the gram positive cocci was isolated in more number of stethoscopes. 16 This might be because of the direct contact of stethoscopes to human skin flora, which contains mostly gram positive cocci. Also the life span of gram negative bacteria is not more than six hours invitro; the half life span is less than an hour.…”