Stethoscope cleaning

[CanuckStudent]

Just wondering how you guys keep your 'scopes clean. For example, do you just use the antimicrobial wipes? Can you even use alcohol on the bell/diaphragm of a stethoscope?

If you were going to examine a patient, would you wash your hands/use a wipe on your hands, wipe the scope (bell/diaphragm) with a clean wipe, and then warm it with your now sanitised hand?

Is this how you guys normally do it?

Note: I'm talking about general infection control, not in areas where disposable nursing scopes would be used, etc.

[Sue Damonas, BSN]

I use alcohol wipes on my stethesope, never had a problem with it.

[rockytopRN2b]

Alcohol wipes here too... :nuke:

[NurseKitten, MSN, RN]

Alcohol wipes, and have used Lysol wipes when I was using my stethescope on a family member or neighbor.

[LyndzBenz]

We have these little tubs of sani-cloths that are disposable. I always wear gloves when using it to wipe off my steth because the germicidals are so strong that they can kill the aids virus (and I don't want something that strong on my skin!) I let it completely dry before using and I usually do this at least once per shift. I will also do this to the sole of my shoes if I know that I have had some kind of fluid or secretions on there.

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

Just wondering how you guys keep your 'scopes clean. For example, do you just use the antimicrobial wipes? Can you even use alcohol on the bell/diaphragm of a stethoscope?

If you were going to examine a patient, would you wash your hands/use a wipe on your hands, wipe the scope (bell/diaphragm) with a clean wipe, and then warm it with your now sanitised hand?

Is this how you guys normally do it?

Note: I'm talking about general infection control, not in areas where disposable nursing scopes would be used, etc.

Here's a link for those that have Littmann scopes..they have recs on cleaning and care. :http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Littmann/stethoscope/products/cleaning/

[star77, MSN, RN]

I wipe the tubing with "No-baby Wipes" (the ones that are quaternary ammonia disinfectants), and between patients, I wipe with alcohol.

And I wash my hands, constantly.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I just got into the habit of using the individual cheapie stethescope in patient rooms. Originally they were only used for isolation rooms, but it seems like all rooms have them now.

[starletRN]

I use alcohol wipes since they're all ready in my pocket anyway.

[starletRN]

Just curious. What is the rationale for cleaning the tubing?

[dcav]

A note to the OP. Don't use the antimicrobial wipes on your hands. It's carcinogenic.

[pcawiz]

I used alcohol wipes from the med room. Our teacher always told us to keep a handful in our pocket at all times, but even then they're only about $5 a box of over 200 at the drug store.

[LTC Lady]

Alcohol pads are all i use day to day. I had a littmann rep tell me to use Armor all dash cleaner once in a while to keep the tubing supple. I do this at home with routine cleaning. But yes at work alcohol pads work fine for me!