Stethoscope and Superbugs

I work on a geriatric psych floor. I was off for a few days, and when I came back, one of the rooms was quarantined because one of our patients had acinetobacter. We didn't know she had the bug, and I didn't find out until after she was gone from the unit, and I had assessed her like any other patient with my stethoscope.

So how do I clean my stethoscope? I've been wiping it down with the cancer causing wipes at work (okay I've been told they cause cancer), but is there another way to really clean it? I read on the Littman website you just wipe it down. Does anyone know the ratio of bleach to water that would be appropriate?
1:9, for a final concentration of 0.5% (since regular OTC bleach is 5%).In Europe they are going to keeping stethoscopes in the rooms and not carrying them all over the place. Cuts down on transmission when no one carries fomites around.

Quote from GrnTea1:9, for a final concentration of 0.5% (since regular OTC bleach is 5%).In Europe they are going to keeping stethoscopes in the rooms and not carrying them all over the place. Cuts down on transmission when no one carries fomites around.

Quote from rumwynnieRN(okay I've been told they cause cancer)

Quote from psu_213I've been told the same thing about ours. The way I figure it though....we wipe stretchers, tables, chairs, etc. with those things. I'm hoping it is "safe" to use the "CA wipes" and then just allow it to thoroughly dry before picking the scope back up/putting it in my ears.

When I did my OB clinical, that hospital had stethoscopes on each baby-bed, and you ONLY used the baby's assigned steth in that room. I did a med-surg clinical in that same hospital, and each patient had their own BP cuff (the disposable kind). You hooked it up to the machine when taking vitals, then unhooked it and left it attached to the bedrail for the next time. And if the patient went to another unit for tests/procedures, the cuff went with them as well. At discharge, the cuff was tossed in the trash.Then I did clinicals at another hospital that REUSES the disposable BP cuffs! When the patient is discharged, they wipe the cuff down with a "cancer-wipe" and put it back on the shelf to be used again. I can't believe that their Risk Management department doesn't have a hissy fit...

Quote from brilloheadWhen I did my OB clinical, that hospital had stethoscopes on each baby-bed, and you ONLY used the baby's assigned steth in that room.I did a med-surg clinical in that same hospital, and each patient had their own BP cuff (the disposable kind). You hooked it up to the machine when taking vitals, then unhooked it and left it attached to the bedrail for the next time. And if the patient went to another unit for tests/procedures, the cuff went with them as well. At discharge, the cuff was tossed in the trash.Then I did clinicals at another hospital that REUSES the disposable BP cuffs! When the patient is discharged, they wipe the cuff down with a "cancer-wipe" and put it back on the shelf to be used again. I can't believe that their Risk Management department doesn't have a hissy fit...

GAWK! Scary stuff.No answers, but I do have a question. If stethoscopes are 'assigned' to a room to avoid transmission between patients - how are the earpieces cleaned between nurses/Clinicians? Does everyone carry their own earpieces? I have never allowed anyone to use my 'scope because I think that the swapping earwax thing is just icky.

Quote from PediLove2147Our BP cuffs are used over and over again.. And yeah, I've heard those wipes cause cancer. You would think I would start wearing gloves when using them but I still don't. Oops, I wonder what kind of cancer I will get.

I used those wipes for about a month.. Even after I'd let my stethoscope dry it would give me a rash on my neck.. Now I use Lysol wipes.

Quote from HouTxGAWK! Scary stuff.No answers, but I do have a question. If stethoscopes are 'assigned' to a room to avoid transmission between patients - how are the earpieces cleaned between nurses/Clinicians? Does everyone carry their own earpieces? I have never allowed anyone to use my 'scope because I think that the swapping earwax thing is just icky.

Quote from BrandonLPNYeah, well, what doesn't cause cancer these days? Between cell phones, microwaves and nutrasweet, I'd say we're pretty much doomed already.

Quote from PediLove2147Our BP cuffs are used over and over again.