Effective Stethoscope Sterilization: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals

Controlling the spread of germs in hospitals and other medical facilities helps ensure the health of all patients, visitors and employees. One often overlooked strategy for germ control is cleaning stethoscopes. Although most doctors put on new gloves for each patient and wash their hands frequently, some use the same stethoscope on several patients before cleaning it, risking the spread of dangerous infectious agents. Cleaning stethoscopes is a fast and easy process.

Things You'll Need

• Isopropyl alcohol wipes

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove the ear tips of the stethoscope.

• 2

  Wipe the stethoscope thoroughly with an isopropyl alcohol wipe.

• 3

  Replace the ear tips after the stethoscope dries.

• 4

  Repeat the cleaning process between each patient to prevent the spread of infectious disease.