Zúniga Andrés, Mañalich Jaime, Cortés Rosario
Rev Chilena Infectol. 2016 Feb;33(1):19-25. doi: 10.4067/S0716-10182016000100003.
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) are a problem worldwide. In our country, the estimated incidence of HCAI is 70,000 per year. This results in an increase in the average length of hospital stay by 10 days per patient, an estimated annual cost of US $ 70 million and an overstay of 700 thousand bed days a year. For over 30 years stethoscopes have been considered as potential HCAI vectors, since pathogens like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus strains adhere and colonize them. These organisms can be transmitted between patients if the instruments are not sanitized. Several studies conclude that disinfecting the stethoscope with isopropyl alcohol eliminates up to 99% of bacteria. Simple, economic measures such as implementation of guidelines for stethoscope disinfection are a clear opportunity for preventing infections.
医疗保健相关感染（HCAI）是一个全球性问题。在我国，HCAI的估计发病率为每年7万例。这导致每位患者的平均住院时间增加10天，估计每年成本为7000万美元，每年多占用70万个床位日。30多年来，听诊器一直被视为潜在的HCAI传播媒介，因为耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌和耐万古霉素肠球菌等病原体可附着并定植于其上。如果器械未进行消毒，这些病原体可在患者之间传播。多项研究得出结论，用异丙醇对听诊器进行消毒可消除高达99%的细菌。采取简单、经济的措施，如实施听诊器消毒指南，是预防感染的一个明显机会。
