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How to clean your Stethoscope – Here’s what you need to know.

How to clean your Stethoscope – Here’s what you need to know.

Doctor Essentials knows that the cleaning of hands, surfaces, and stethoscopes in hospitals is now done with the use of disinfectant gel (hand gel). Some of these products can damage the rubber parts of stethoscopes as well as some plastics, and tests have shown that even diaphragms can be damaged.

Doctor Essentials discussed the matter with some of the manufacturers of the most widely used products on the market and they confirmed to us that they have not tested their products on such surfaces or medical instruments, and that they should not be used for such purpose.

For the proper cleaning – disinfection of the stethoscope, only the following are suggested: To clean your stethoscope, use 70% isopropyl alcohol solution on a cloth or pre-packaged wipe, and wipe all patient contacting surfaces of your stethoscope between each assessment.

ADC Stethoscope

What NOT to do

There are a few things you should avoid if you don’t want to damage your stethoscope.

  1. Do not use hand sanitizer or bleach wipes to clean your diaphragm or tubing as it can be abrasive and have added chemicals that may damage your stethoscope.
  2. Remember that stethoscopes aren’t waterproof and liquid entering the stethoscope may affect sound quality and longevity of your stethoscope. Please do not immerse or soak them in water or any liquid as this will surely damage your stethoscope.
  3. Do not sterilize your stethoscope because most sterilization techniques are harsh and abrasive and will result in the damage of your stethoscope.
  4. It is not recommended to leave your stethoscope out in a hot car or directly in the sun for long periods of time as this can cause the tubing to stiffen and harden.

Practical advice: Keep your stethoscope away from hot spots, oils, solvents, and extreme cold. Adjustable baffles can be removed from the instrument and cleaned with alcohol or soapy water. Dry all parts thoroughly before reassembly. The headphones can be removed from the ear canal for thorough cleaning. For safety, make sure that the ends are firmly attached to the pipe during repositioning. Customers who would like to use another cleaner should first be informed by the manufacturer of its suitability for cleaning stethoscopes.