New study finds stethoscopes are filled with bacteria

A study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology found that stethoscopes used in intensive care units (ICUs) can harbor infectious bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, and Acinobacter. The study compared traditional reusable stethoscopes with single-use disposable ones and found high levels of bacteria on both. While disinfection methods like hydrogen peroxide wipes, alcohol swabs, and bleach wipes reduced bacterial presence, they did not completely eliminate it.

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