ICU nurses who became infection preventionists integrated The DiskCover System into a 48-month prevention bundle, finding it easy to use, well accepted, and effective in eliminating central line infections for more than a year of follow-up.
SAN DIEGO, Calif., October 1, 2026 — AseptiScope, Inc. today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study in Critical Care Nurse reporting an 84% reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infection rates after implementation of a prevention bundle that included The DiskCover System® and chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings. Conducted at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center, the four-year quality improvement initiative evaluated outcomes among 5,226 intensive care unit patients and was independently developed and implemented by the VA clinical team.
After implementation, bloodstream infection rates fell from 4.42 to 0.70 infections per 1,000 central catheter days, an 84% reduction. Rates later reached zero and remained there for periods exceeding one year.
Central line bloodstream infections are among the most serious healthcare-associated complications. The publication cites evidence that affected patients face more than three times the odds of acute mortality compared with uninfected patients.
“Decades of literature show that traditional between-patient stethoscope disinfection reduces contamination but does not reliably eliminate it,” said Scott Mader, Chief Executive Officer of AseptiScope, Inc. “The DiskCover System was engineered to provide an aseptic patient-contact surface every time, and 30 times faster than conventional alternatives. By offering a rapid, effective, and affordable solution, we hope to help healthcare providers close a persistent patient safety gap.”
The publication adds to growing evidence that stethoscopes can harbor pathogens similar to those found on clinicians’ hands and may contribute to cross-contamination between patients. Citing the difficulty of maintaining consistent stethoscope asepsis with conventional cleaning, the authors evaluated whether aseptic stethoscope barriers could strengthen infection prevention when paired with chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings.
Clinician acceptance was strong: 100% of surveyed users described the barrier as easy to use, and 81% preferred it to disposable stethoscopes.
“We are honored that the VA Medical Center team integrated The DiskCover System into its infection prevention strategy and shared its findings in a peer-reviewed publication,” added Scott Mader. “The most meaningful innovations improve patient outcomes while fitting naturally into everyday clinical practice.”
The findings underscore the potential of combining standardized central line care with aseptic stethoscope hygiene to protect some of healthcare’s most vulnerable patients from preventable bloodstream infections.
The publication marks another milestone for The DiskCover System within the VA healthcare community. In 2025, The Jesse Family Foundation recognized AseptiScope with the Dr. Robert L. Jesse Award for Innovation Demonstrated to Protect Veterans’ Health for The DiskCover System®.
Ragsdale N, Simpson W, Peacock WF. Using stethoscope hygiene barriers to reduce central catheter-associated bloodstream infection rates. Critical Care Nurse. 2026;46(5):61-66. doi:10.4037/ccn2026637.
About The DiskCover System®
The DiskCover System® is a touch-free stethoscope hygiene platform that automatically applies a new aseptic diaphragm barrier before each patient assessment, helping healthcare facilities standardize stethoscope hygiene while maintaining clinical workflow.
About AseptiScope, Inc.
AseptiScope, Inc. develops innovative patient safety technologies designed to reduce healthcare-associated infections through practical solutions that integrate seamlessly into clinical practice.
Originally published by AseptiScope, Inc. on October 1, 2026.
