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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.
The study, published in an issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, said the hands of healthcare workers were still the main source of bacterial transmission in hospitals, but stethoscopes also appeared to have a major impact.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26368157
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.
The study, published in an issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, said the hands of healthcare workers were still the main source of bacterial transmission in hospitals, but stethoscopes also appeared to have a major impact.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26368157