Gabriele Messina1, Sandra Burgassi2, Daniele Messina3, Valerio Montagnani4, Gabriele Cevenini5. 1. Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Electronic address: gabriele.messina@unisi.it. 2. Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. 3. Monte dei Paschi Foundation of Siena, Siena, Italy. 4. Automatic Speech Recognition - Research (ASR-R), Siena, Italy. 5. Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stethoscopes are widely used by doctors and nurses. Poor stethoscope hygiene is a potential source of nosocomial infection. This study aimed to propose an innovative solution, based on the latest advances in ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for disinfecting stethoscope membranes automatically and efficiently. METHODS: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis were sown on 28 stethoscope membranes and then transferred to Petri dishes. Treatment involved illuminating exposed Petri dishes with a UVC LED for 1 minute. For each microbe, the number of colony-forming units (cfu) at 36°C was compared in control and treated dishes using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess percent reductions in bacteria. Statistical significance was set at 99%. RESULTS: A significant reduction in cfu counts after UV treatment (P < .01) was found for all bacteria: 85.5% for E faecalis, 87.5% for S aureus, 94.3% for E coli, and 94.9% for P aeruginosa . No significant differences in percent reduction in cfu were found between bacteria (P > .01). CONCLUSION: The stethoscope, symbol of medicine and health care professionals, has been demonstrated to be a carrier of microorganisms. The treatment technique was effective and efficient in disinfecting the membranes. These promising results represent a step forward toward eliminating stethoscope membrane contamination with an innovative approach.
BACKGROUND: Stethoscopes are widely used by doctors and nurses. Poor stethoscope hygiene is a potential source of nosocomial infection. This study aimed to propose an innovative solution, based on the latest advances in ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for disinfecting stethoscope membranes automatically and efficiently. METHODS:Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis were sown on 28 stethoscope membranes and then transferred to Petri dishes. Treatment involved illuminating exposed Petri dishes with a UVC LED for 1 minute. For each microbe, the number of colony-forming units (cfu) at 36°C was compared in control and treated dishes using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess percent reductions in bacteria. Statistical significance was set at 99%. RESULTS: A significant reduction in cfu counts after UV treatment (P < .01) was found for all bacteria: 85.5% for E faecalis, 87.5% for S aureus, 94.3% for E coli, and 94.9% for P aeruginosa . No significant differences in percent reduction in cfu were found between bacteria (P > .01). CONCLUSION: The stethoscope, symbol of medicine and health care professionals, has been demonstrated to be a carrier of microorganisms. The treatment technique was effective and efficient in disinfecting the membranes. These promising results represent a step forward toward eliminating stethoscope membrane contamination with an innovative approach.
Authors: Rajiv Vasudevan; Ji H Shin; Jessica Chopyk; William F Peacock; Francesca J Torriani; Alan S Maisel; David T Pride Journal: Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes Date: 2020-02-05
Authors: Gabriele Messina; Mattia Fattorini; Nicola Nante; Daniele Rosadini; Andrea Serafini; Marco Tani; Gabriele Cevenini Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2016-09-23 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Margherita Napolitani; Daiana Bezzini; Fulvio Moirano; Corrado Bedogni; Gabriele Messina Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-03-13 Impact factor: 3.390