GPs’ stethoscopes are harbourers of bacteria

Despite repeated calls for increased hygiene standards in Irish healthcare, GP stethoscopes have been found to carry large amounts of bacteria, according to a new study done to assess whether or not these devices are carriers for MRSA.
Dr Seoighe Ni Rua, a GP registrar from the Eastern Regional GP training scheme at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), studied swabs anonymously taken from 50 GPs’ stethoscopes. The swabs were observed at a lab at Tallaght Hospital, where it was revealed that a high rate of the bacteria staphylococcus was present.

In total, 49 of the swabs tested positive for staphylococcus, 30 grew bacillus species, and one tested positive for fungus.
Dr Ni Rua also found that none of the GPs she studied cleaned their stethoscope after each patient. Happily, none tested positive for MRSA. “It is a reassuring result for those who work in general practice in light of the recent bad press associated with MRSA,” said Dr Ni Rua. However, she said stethoscopes are “undoubtedly vectors for bacteria”, since none were sterile.
Just 12 per cent of the GPs cleaned their stethoscope daily, while 9 per cent cleaned it weekly and 15 per cent said they never clean it. When the GPs were asked if they consider stethoscopes a vehicle for transmitting bacteria from person to person, 67 per cent said yes. But only 36 per cent said they believe MRSA to be a problem in general practice. Dr Ni Rua said cleaning stethoscopes with alcohol wipes can reduce the bacterial count by 94-100 per cent.
Staphylococcus aureus (s. aureus) can cause diseases such as skin and wound infections, urinary tract infections and pneumonia. Most strains are sensitive to many antibiotics, and infections can be effectively treated, with the exception of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
The research, entitled Stethoscopes- Doctor’s friend or patient’s foe? was presented for the first time at last week’s Manne Berber lecture in Trinity College.
The Health Service Executive (HSE), meanwhile, has set up a governance group to tackle healthcare associated infections, to reduce antibiotic consumption by 20 per cent, MRSA infections by 30 per cent and other healthcare associated infections by 20 per cent.
The HSE has chosen six areas it will target over the next five years: education, hygiene and infection control standards, MRSA surveillance, improved facilities and ensuring local managers are responsible for educating staff and patients.