Stethoscopes 'more contaminated' than doctors' hands

[maureenho]

Stethoscopes 'more contaminated' than doctors' hands

Stethoscopes can pick up bacteria directly from a patient's skin

Doctors should disinfect their stethoscopes after every examination because the instruments are heavily contaminated by bacteria, a study says.

Stethoscopes were found to carry as many bacteria as the palms of doctors' hands, and only doctors' fingertips were 'dirtier'.

University of Geneva researchers said stethoscopes may contain thousands of bacteria, including MRSA.

Doctors should clean stethoscopes regularly to cut down on transmission.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26368157

[annie]

That doesn't surprise me