Web Watch has already told you about one way that DOCTORS AND NURSES SPREAD INFECTIONS, just by wearing their scrubs outside of the office.
(Remember, if you see a medical professional in front of you at the Starbucks and they’re wearing scrubs, they could have just come out of an infected surgical area and haven’t bothered to change. Ewww.)
But there’s ANOTHER WAY THAT DOCTORS AND OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS SPREAD DISEASE, and you may not be aware of it…
3M Littmann Cardiology III Stethoscope
It’s the STETHOSCOPE.
That cold, impersonal device that doctors wear around their necks at all times — because, they’re PROFESSIONALS – are a haven for deadly bacteria such as MRSA Staph.
That’s what the MAYO CLINIC REPORTED AFTER ANALYZING 489 SURFACES AFTER A DOCTOR TREATED ONE PATIENT.
They found that the stethoscope contained the same contamination levels as the physician’s dominant hand.
And while healthcare workers are diligent about cleaning their hands between patients, they are not so concerned about cleaning their stethoscope as they move from one exam room to the next. The study said that health professionals clean and disinfect their stethoscopes maybe once a month, if that.
So, if you want to stay healthy during your next visit, not only should you insist that your doctor change out into new scrubs when they see you, you should also insist on the use of a newly-disinfected stethoscope as well.
Web Watch can’t wait to see those “Wash your hands, wash your scope” signs at sinks all around the hospital during our next visit.