AseptiScope Inc. said its innovative medical device to reduce stethoscope contamination is even more important in lieu of two large U.S. studies showing that stethoscopes pose a significant health risk.
A clinical study in the American Journal of Infection Control said stethoscopes are often improperly or rarely disinfected based on 400 interactions observed between clinicians and patients. A separate study found that out of 426 emergency room patient encounters at a San Diego-based healthcare system, stethoscope hygiene occurring in no more than 13% of patient interactions.
“We know that stethoscopes and hands carry similar pathogen contamination levels, and stethoscopes can transfer these pathogens between patients,” said David Boulée, lead investigator in the AJIC study out of Texas. “However, an effective solution for this clinical dilemma, such as safe-to-touch wipes or a no-touch dispenser system for an audiologically transparent single-use barrier, is not readily available.”
The company is preparing to introduce the first touch-free, single use stethoscope barrier dispensing system. The AseptiScope DiskCover System will provide clinicians a visible, rapid and affordable solution that applies a clean barrier directly to the stethoscope in a few seconds, AseptiScope executives said. The system is planned for release in 2019.
