Persistent Value of the Stethoscope in the Age of COVID-19

• Authors: Rajiv S. Vasudevan, University of California San Diego; Yu Horiuchi, Mitsui Memorial Hospital; Francesca J. Torriani, University of California San Diego; Bruno Cotter, University of California San Diego; Sofie M. Maisel, University of California Berkeley; Sanjeet S. Dadwal, City Hope Natl Med Ctr; Robert Gaynes, Emory University; Alan S. Maisel, University of California San Diego
• Journal Title: The American Journal of Medicine
• Volume: Volume 133, Number 10
• Publisher: Elsevier Science Inc. | 2020-10-01, Pages 1143-1150
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.05.018
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Immunology
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Medicine, General & Internal; General & Internal Medicine; Advancement; COVID-19; Stethoscope; Potential source; Contamination; Disinfection; Infection; Predictirs; Management; Education; Vectors; Bias

Abstract

The stethoscope has long been at the center of patient care, as well as a symbol of the physician–patient relationship. While advancements in other diagnostic modalities have allowed for more efficient and accurate diagnosis, the stethoscope has evolved in parallel to address the needs of the modern era of medicine. These advancements include sound visualization, ambient noise reduction/cancellation, Bluetooth (Bluetooth SIG Inc, Kirkland, Wash) transmission, and computer algorithm diagnostic support. However, despite these advancements, the ever-changing climate of infection prevention, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has led many to question the stethoscope as a vector for infectious diseases. Stethoscopes have been reported to harbor bacteria with contamination levels comparable with a physician's hand. Although disinfection is recommended, stethoscope hygiene compliance remains low. In addition, disinfectants may not be completely effective in eliminating microorganisms. Despite these risks, the growing technological integration with the stethoscope continues to make it a highly valuable tool. Rather than casting our valuable tool and symbol of medicine aside, we must create and implement an effective method of stethoscope hygiene to keep patients safe.