1368 Stethosopes: Potential Reservoirs for the Spread of Noscocomial Infections

Abstract

Background: Infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are at increased risk of nosocomial infection (NI). Aims: To determine stethoscope Staphylococcus (S.) contamination rates & anti-sepsis practices. Methods: Stethoscopes of 12 medical students, 12 NICU physicians and at 12 incubator/cotsides were cultured for S. species (viruses, fungi and other bacteria not assessed). Positive cultures were reported as light, moderate or heavy growth. Students and physicians were surveyed regarding frequency of stethoscope anti-sepsis and charts were reviewed for evidence of NIs. Results: Overall, 22/36 stethoscopes grew S. species. No meticilin resistant S. Aureus was isolated and 11/22 had a light growth of coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS). There was a moderate/heavy growth CONS from; 3/12 student, 4/12 physician, 2/12 NICU stethoscopes. S. Aureus was isolated from 1 student stethoscope (heavy growth), 1 physician stethoscope (moderate growth) and 0 NICU stethoscopes. 11/12 medical students completed the survey; 1 cleaned the stethoscope often, 8 infrequently and 2 never: surveys were completed by 12/12 physicians; 6 cleaned the stethoscope frequently, 4 often, and 2 infrequently. Self-reported anti-sepsis frequency did not correlate with bacterial growth. NICU bedside stethoscopes were the least contaminated. There were no matching positive blood cultures; in 1 infant CONS was isolated from the stethoscope and from a long-line tip. Conclusions: Stethoscopes represent potential reservoirs of NIs. Contamination of personal stethoscopes with S. species was relatively common; antisepsis should be performed routinely. Individual incubator / cotside stethoscopes were least contaminated and should be used for patients at high risk from NI.