The Challenge
It is acknowledged that stethoscope hygiene is rather poor and cleaning compliance between patient Interactions is low (15.6%), mainly because of the impracticability of the hygiene guidelines. 1
Since most stethoscopes are often contaminated by bacteria (the presence of which is not affected by reported cleaning strategies), they are likely to be contributing to healthcare acquired infections (HCAI’s). 2
Results suggest that the contamination level of the stethoscope is substantial after a single physical examination and similar to the contamination of parts of the physician’s dominant hand. 3
Covid-19 illustrates the risk of stethoscope contamination between patients and examiners. A recent case study shows that an examiner, despite being protected by personal protective equipment (PPE), tested positive for Covid-19 after auscultating a Covid-19 positive patient. 4
1.Observation of stethoscope sanitation practices in an emergency department setting - Vasudevan R., Mojaver S., Chang K-W., Maisel A., Peacock W., Chowdhury P., Am J Infect Control 2019 Mar; 47(3): 234-237.
2.The stethoscope and healthcare-associated infection: a snake in the grass or innocent bystander? - O'Flaherty N.; J Hosp Infect. 2015 Sep; 91(1): 1-7.
3.Contamination of Stethoscopes and Physician's Hands After a Physical Examination - Longtin Y., Pittet D.; Mayo Clin Proc. 2014 Mar;89(3):291-9
4.The stethoscope: a potential vector for COVID-19? - Vasudevan R., Thani K., Maisel S., Maisel A.; Eur Heart J., 2020 Sep 21; 41(36): 3393–3395.
«It is clear that a contaminated stethoscope might pose a danger to patients and providers. This can also be a potential vector for the transmission of COVID-19» 2
The Solution
Stethoglove® (Patent Pending), a single use product, avoids cross contamination from physician to patient and vice versa.
Stethoglove is made of Sonymer®, a unique thin, soft and skin-friendly material, engineered for excellent sound transmission. Sonymer® has undergone intensive acoustic evaluation together with bacterial and viral infection laboratory tests.
The Stethoglove has a specially designed ‘Smart Cuff’ to allow easy and hygienic removal. Its resealable carton can be placed at point of use.
Stethoglove is produced in clean-room conditions.
Unique benefits of Stethoglove®
Preserves acoustic quality of auscultation
Protects against viral, fungal and bacterial infection from the stethoscope
Simple, fast, safe and efficient stethoscope hygiene
Also covers the examiner's hand, wrist and part of the stethoscope tube
“Acoustic lab tests show no significant difference in the quality of heart sound transmission when using a stethoscope with and without Stethoglove®” 5
“In a usability test of Stethoglove®, 27 users (physicians and nurses) confirmed the excellent acoustic quality of auscultation using Stethoglove® and preferred this hygiene protocol/method to the standard process of using alcohol swabs.” 6
The Use of Stethoglove®
The examiner holds the stethoscope with or without a glove. The auscultating hand is slid into the Stethoglove® which is stretched tightly over the stethoscope diaphragm for optimal acoustics. The examiner then auscultates the patient as normal.
Hygienic Auscultating
Our Packaging
