RT Journal
A1 Wurtz R, Weinstein R, et al
T1 MIcrobiologic contamination and cleaning personal medical equipment
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1998
FD August 12
VO 280
IS 6
SP 519
OP 520
DO 10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-280-6-jac057001
UL http://dx.doi.org/10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-280-6-jac057001
AB 
To the Editor.—Personal medical equipment (eg, stethoscopes) is subject to vagaries in use, storage, and cleaning. There is theoretical concern that pathogenic or antimicrobial-resistant organisms could be transmitted from place to place or patient to patient on personal medical equipment. Several studies1- 3 have demonstrated bacteria on stethoscopes and support these concerns. Data on microbiologic contamination of other handheld medical equipment (eg, otoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and reflex hammers) are limited. However, the clinical significance of these positive culture findings is uncertain. A recent prospective study in a medical intensive care unit demonstrated probable acquisition of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus colonization in 2 patients exposed to contaminated blood pressure cuffs.4