REVIEW PAPER
Different faces of the stethoscope: history, usefulness, evolution, contamination, and disinfection practices
1
Department of Molecular Medical Microbiology, Chair of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
Submission date: 2024-03-19
Final revision date: 2024-06-28
Acceptance date: 2024-07-31
Publication date: 2024-11-14
Corresponding author
Katarzyna Talaga-Ćwiertnia
Katarzyna Talaga-Ćwiertnia Department of Molecular Medical Microbiology Chair of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine Jagiellonian University Medical College Krakow, Poland
Katarzyna Talaga-Ćwiertnia Department of Molecular Medical Microbiology Chair of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine Jagiellonian University Medical College Krakow, Poland
Medical Studies 2025;41(1):53-63
KEYWORDS
the history of the stethoscopestethoscope hygienestethoscope contaminationhealthcare-associated infections (HAIs)usefulness of the stethoscope
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
A stethoscope is a tool mainly used by physicians of various specialties in their daily work. Over the centuries, newer designs of this diagnostic tool have been improved and developed. A stethoscope in medical practice, which comes into contact with many patients, poses a high risk of infection transmission and thus may increase the incidence of infection in healthcare facilities. Research data indicate that a stethoscope can be contaminated by 21–100% with clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains. A stethoscope is considered non-critical equipment, and the recommendations for cleaning the stethoscope are after each patient, once a day, or once a week. However, there are still no clear-cut algorithms for its handling. The use of disinfectants requires the selection of a suitable agent that, with frequent disinfection of stethoscopes, will not damage sensitive parts and at the same time effectively remove pathogens.
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