Lowell doctor’s stethoscope cover aimed at curbing hospital-acquired infections - The Boston Globe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises stethoscope cleanings between patient exams and the use of dedicated room equipment for patients carrying a communicable disease and in isolation. But adherence is sometimes lax. Many shun cheap, ill-functioning dedicated stethoscopes in favor of the one slung about their necks. And scope-cleaning is hardly routine. “The truth of the matter is that people don’t do it,’’ said Ma. “It’s never mentioned beyond medical school, and that’s where it stops.’’ Some say Ma’s invention can be sidestepped in favor of strict adherence to hand washing and regular stethoscope cleaning. But with compliance rates hovering between 45 and 50 percent, according to the American Journal of Medical Quality, there may be room for one more protective layer. “I’m a big believer in . . . hand hygiene,’’ said David Hooper, head of infection control at Massachusetts General Hospital, “but certainly other things can help. I’d have to know more details to see if we wanted to try it.’’ For now, Stethguard’s pilot program at Saints will come with its own battery of tests. Infection control nurse Diane Maltais plans to culture shielded stethoscopes post-exam to determine their bacteria load. But first she’ll work to get staff there to integrate the extra step into their routine, which may initially prove the biggest barrier of all. “We’ve found our stethoscopes to be a huge source of contamination,’’ said Maltais, “so I think he’s really onto something good. But it will be interesting to see everyone’s response to it. I’m curious to get them out.’’ For Ma, Stethguard’s introduction at Saints marks his first step away from a project that has sapped four years and more than $100,000 from his savings. He paid for the “first run’’ of 100,000 Stethguard covers, and hopes a company will agree to take over mass production, leaving him to simply be a doctor.
