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.

[murphyle, BSN, RN]

Why clean the tubing: It picks up microbes just like any other piece of the stethoscope - more so because it's likely been riding around your neck all day.

My scope cleaning protocol: Wipe down and wrap entire scope in wet Sani-Wipe for minimum 5 minutes (the directions specify this as the appropriate wet-exposure time for maximum kill) at start of shift, after lunch, and end of shift. Alcohol wipe to earpieces and diaphragm before each use. (I wipe the earpieces because one of our instructors warned us about past students who developed skin infections from improperly disinfected stethoscope earpieces.)

Yes, I'm a little neurotic about infection control, but given the bugs that we see on a daily basis, I'd much rather be safe than sorry!