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[Stethoscope or staphyloscope?: Potential vector in nosocomial infections].
- Source :
-
Revista chilena de infectologia : organo oficial de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectologia [Rev Chilena Infectol] 2016 Feb; Vol. 33 (1), pp. 19-25. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) are a problem worldwide. In our country, the estimated incidence of HCAI is 70,000 per year. This results in an increase in the average length of hospital stay by 10 days per patient, an estimated annual cost of US $ 70 million and an overstay of 700 thousand bed days a year. For over 30 years stethoscopes have been considered as potential HCAI vectors, since pathogens like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus strains adhere and colonize them. These organisms can be transmitted between patients if the instruments are not sanitized. Several studies conclude that disinfecting the stethoscope with isopropyl alcohol eliminates up to 99% of bacteria. Simple, economic measures such as implementation of guidelines for stethoscope disinfection are a clear opportunity for preventing infections.
- Subjects :
- Cross Infection etiology
Cross Infection microbiology
Disinfection methods
Gram-Negative Bacteria classification
Gram-Negative Bacteria isolation & purification
Gram-Positive Bacteria classification
Gram-Positive Bacteria isolation & purification
Humans
Disinfection statistics & numerical data
Equipment Contamination statistics & numerical data
Stethoscopes microbiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- Spanish; Castilian
- ISSN :
- 0717-6341
- Volume :
- 33
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Revista chilena de infectologia : organo oficial de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectologia
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 26965873
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.4067/S0716-10182016000100003