Use of Disposable Stethoscope Covers for Reduction of Stethoscope MRSA Contamination

This is a prospective pilot study using a randomized, controlled, single blinded, crossover trial design, evaluating the effect of daily antimicrobial stethoscope diaphragm covers versus uncovered stethoscope. Stethoscopes will be cleaned Sani-cloth germicidal disposable wipes which are effective against MRSA. Each participant will then be randomly assigned to 7 days in either the intervention or the control arm. At the end of the 7 days participants stethoscopes will be cleaned again. This will be followed by another 7 days in the arm that they are not in during the first 7 days.

The primary endpoint is MRSA colony count from stethoscope diaphragms cultures at 7 days, focusing on the difference between the intervention and the control periods. The secondary endpoint is the rate of hospital acquired MRSA infection in patients treated by residents during each period.