Stethoscope Hygiene and its Relationship to Healthcare Acquired Infections
Advisor(s)
Jamie Hunsicker J-hunsicker@onu.edu
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 11:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2025 11:50 AM
Abstract
Abstract
Problem: Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) are an increasingly prevalent issue in healthcare. While hand hygiene is the most effective method to prevent HAIs, stethoscope hygiene may be an underutilized practice that can further prevent HAIs.
Purpose: The purpose of the research proposal is to determine if patients are more at risk of acquiring a HAI from improperly sanitized stethoscopes in comparison to stethoscopes that are cleaned in accordance with best practice methods while being treated in a hospital.
Methods: This proposal is a mixed-methods study. A 30 minute educational seminar on the importance of stethoscope hygiene and evidence-based hygiene practices will be provided to RNs on 3 separate inpatient hospital units. Participants’ Self-Evaluation of Stethoscope Hygiene survey results and incidence of HAIs will be compared pre-education and three-months post education.
Conclusion: Stethoscope hygiene is an underutilized practice to prevent the spread of Healthcare of HAIs. The outcome of this study is expected to be that the patients of nurses who commit to better stethoscope hygiene will have a decreased rate of HAIs. This is important due to the financial cost of HAIs on the healthcare system
Recommended Citation
Baker, Thomas P., "Stethoscope Hygiene and its Relationship to Healthcare Acquired Infections" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 56.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/56
Open Access
Available to all.
Stethoscope Hygiene and its Relationship to Healthcare Acquired Infections
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Abstract
Problem: Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) are an increasingly prevalent issue in healthcare. While hand hygiene is the most effective method to prevent HAIs, stethoscope hygiene may be an underutilized practice that can further prevent HAIs.
Purpose: The purpose of the research proposal is to determine if patients are more at risk of acquiring a HAI from improperly sanitized stethoscopes in comparison to stethoscopes that are cleaned in accordance with best practice methods while being treated in a hospital.
Methods: This proposal is a mixed-methods study. A 30 minute educational seminar on the importance of stethoscope hygiene and evidence-based hygiene practices will be provided to RNs on 3 separate inpatient hospital units. Participants’ Self-Evaluation of Stethoscope Hygiene survey results and incidence of HAIs will be compared pre-education and three-months post education.
Conclusion: Stethoscope hygiene is an underutilized practice to prevent the spread of Healthcare of HAIs. The outcome of this study is expected to be that the patients of nurses who commit to better stethoscope hygiene will have a decreased rate of HAIs. This is important due to the financial cost of HAIs on the healthcare system