Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2014
Poster Presentation
Bacterial Growth on Student Nurse Stethoscopes
Ashley Di Cosola and Chloe Li
Faculty Mentor: Julie Baylor
Nursing
Hand hygiene is a major concept that health care facilities rely on for infection
prevention. However, there may be other potential sources of infection including
stethoscopes. The diaphragm of the stethoscope is the most common area to make
direct contact with clients, whereas the arms of the stethoscope are the most likely to be
in contact with healthcare providers. Environmental exposure and cleaning technique of
stethoscopes may lead to increased risk for infection. The objective of our research was
to identify whether or not stethoscopes are potential sources of infection and to
determine the need for updating policies regarding stethoscope cleaning. For our
research, 21 student nurse stethoscopes were cultured, each in two locations, for
bacteria. One student investigator swabbed the arms of the stethoscopes (n=21), and
another swabbed the diaphragm/bell (n=21) to maintain consistency. AMIES swabs and
transport medium were used for specimen collection and the samples were transported
to a local campus health care center where a trained lab technician plated and
interpreted each sample. Using Gram Stain, Catalase, and Coagulase tests, the lab
technician reported the amount of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria found on
each sample. Of the samples collected from the stethoscope arms, 10 samples
(47.62%) yielded bacterial growth and of the samples collected from the diaphragm/bell,
9 samples (42.9%) yielded bacterial growth. Although the exact identification was not
determined, any growth has the potential for infection. Results from this pilot study show
that student nurse stethoscopes can be a potential source of infection.