Policy & Procedures (P&Ps)
Extending Hand Hygiene to “The Third Hand”
Stethoscope hygiene between patients is now standard of care according to the new CDC 2024 Guideline to Prevent Transmission of Pathogens in Healthcare Settings.
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Evidence-Based Stethoscope Hygiene P&Ps Template
Professionals in healthcare quality and infection control worked together to create the first evidence-based stethoscope hygiene P&Ps template for easy integration into existing hand hygiene P&Ps.
Authors
Kathleen Vollman, MSN, RN, CCNS, FCCM, FCNS
Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist & Current President of The World Federation Of Critical Care Nurses
Cynthia Cadwell, ANP-BC, CCNS, CPHQ
Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist & Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality
Authors’ Note:
Incorporating Stethoscope Hygiene into P&Ps
Over the past decade, mounting evidence has confirmed the stethoscope has been undermining our infection control protocols. This has also been recognized by the CDC, which has proposed elevated guidance for stethoscope hygiene in their draft 2024 Guideline to Prevent Transmission of Pathogens in Healthcare.
In these new guidelines, the stethoscope diaphragm is now recognized as a vector of “transmission via touch.” This new classification comes with the appropriate recommendation that hygiene, similar to hands, is practiced between every patient encounter.
The purpose of this policy & procedure (P&P) template is to introduce an evidence-based, high compliance solution for stethoscope hygiene. The goal is to provide a comprehensive program to ensure hygiene between each patient encounter is achievable in a workflow compatible, cost-effective, and sustainable way that aligns with new CDC guidelines.
This comprehensive, evidence-based template is provided for inclusion into your health system and facility’s Policies & Procedures Manual.
Between-Patient Hygiene
The new 2024 disinfection guidance from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directs clinicians to ensure that stethoscope hygiene is performed between every patient encounter.
POLICY:
Between-Patient Hygiene
Stethoscope diaphragm hygiene shall be practiced before and after each patient contact using the aseptic diaphragm barrier modality.
POLICY:
Stethoscope Disinfection
Stethoscope cleaning shall be practiced before and after each shift. All Healthcare providers and staff are required to clean their stethoscopes before initiating patient care and prior to completing their shift.
TEMPLATE NOW AVAILABLE
Get started on implementing Stethoscope Hygiene P&P into your practice
