Abstract
Background and Objectives: Although widely used, little attention has been given to basic-care in handling and disinfection of stethoscopes. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is frequently found and a major risk for hospitalized patients. Alcohol gel contains properties admittedly effective to exterminate germs that are frequently involved in infections. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of alcohol gel in stethoscopes disinfection contaminated with MRSA used by healthcare professionals of a University Hospital in Rio de Janeiro State. Methods: Health care professionals were selected randomly from August to November 2012, and collected samples with sterile swab of 105 stethoscopes before and after cleaning with alcohol gel 70% and performed cultures and bacterial identification. Results: Bacterial contamination was present in 87 (82.85%) of the analyzed stethoscopes. Gram positive bacteria were identified in 76 (72.38%). S. aureus was present in 7.61% of stethoscopes and MRSA in 87.5% of them. After using the alcohol gel, there was a reduction of 71,44% of the general bacterial contamination and MRSA elimination of 100% of the analyzed stethoscopes. Conclusion: One should improve care in cleaning of stethoscopes due to the risk of carrying pathogenic bacteria involved in hospital infections. The alcohol gel showed to be adequate for disinfection of stethoscopes contaminated with MRSA. KEYWORDS: Stethoscopes. Contamination. Ethanol. Disinfection. Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Highlights
Background and Objectives very widely used, little attention has been paid to basic care when handling and disinfecting stethoscopes
Alcohol gel has known effective properties to eliminate the microorganisms most frequently involved in infections
This study aims to verify the effectiveness of alcohol gel for the disinfection of stethoscopes contaminated by Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) used by health professionals of a university hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro
Summary
Arthur Alves Teixeira[1], Bruno Maciel Risola[1], Herval Pozzeti Dias-Netto[1], Maelcio Silva de Andrade[1], Elisabeth Valente[1], Marco Antonio Prates Nielebock[2], Luiz Henrique Conde Sangenis3 1Centro de Ensino Superior de Valença, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. 2Universidade Estácio de Sá, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. 3Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. Estetoscópios; Contaminação; Álcool etílico; Desinfecção; Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina. Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina (MRSA) é frequentemente encontrado nestes instrumentos, sendo um grande risco para pacientes hospitalizados. Esse estudo tem o objetivo de verificar a eficácia do álcool gel na desinfecção dos estetoscópios contaminados por MRSA utilizados pelos profissionais de saúde de um Hospital Universitário do Rio de Janeiro. Resultados: A contaminação bacteriana estava presente em 87 (82,85%) estetoscópios analisados, sendo que em 76 (72,38%) foram identificadas bactérias Gram positivas. Após o uso do álcool gel, houve redução de 71,44%da contaminação bacteriana geral e eliminação de MRSA em 100% dos estetoscópios analisados. O álcool gel mostrou-se adequado para desinfecção de estetoscópios contaminados por MRSA
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call