PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Sarah Boot AU - Alison Gill AU - Kate Williams TI - Stethoscopes: Are we doing enough to reduce healthcare-associated infections? DP - 2013 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 3510 VI - 42 IP - Suppl 57 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/3510.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/3510.full SO - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42 AB - Background: The national drive to reduce the number of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) and the importance of hand decontamination with hand-washing and alcohol gel, are well established. Studies have shown that bacterial contamination of stethoscopes is common and that regular cleaning can reduce the potential for cross-infection. Yet little emphasis is placed on cleaning a piece of equipment that has direct contact with all patients examined.Method: All ‘source isolation’ rooms on 7 wards (Respiratory, CF, Respiratory HDU, Elderly & General Medicine) were investigated for the presence of a single patient use stethoscope in accordance with local recommendations. Four respiratory ward rounds (n=52 patients) were observed and doctors were surveyed as to when they last cleaned their stethoscopes.Results: Only the CF unit and respiratory HDU achieved 100% compliance, with a stethoscope next to every bedside. Respiratory medicine performed poorly and less well than both general medicine and elderly medicine (53% vs 67%).No doctor (n=25) reported cleaning their stethoscope after every use or even every day as recommended.Observing the ward rounds a doctor was observed cleaning their stethoscope with soap and water, as opposed to with alcohol as recommended. In three cases the patient’s stethoscope was not used in preference to the doctor’s own. Alcohol wipes were not utilised by any doctor.Conclusion: This audit demonstrates that standards are not being met and this may result in transmission of HCAIs. The impact of the ‘bare below elbows’ and ‘wash you hands’ policies on levels of MRSA has been significant so improving staff knowledge of this potential contaminant is vital.