@article{article_392722, title={Investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization on stethoscopes}, journal={Pamukkale Medical Journal}, pages={116–118}, year={2011}, author={Fışkırma, İ. Aydın and Bektaş, Murat and Kimyon, Uğur and Ergin, Çağrı}, keywords={Staphylococcus aureus, stetoskop, kolonizasyon, metisilin direnci, nozokomiyal enfeksiyonlar}, abstract={OBJECTIVE: Staphylococcus aureus is an important nosocomial infectious agent. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcusaureus (MRSA) infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and health care costs. In this study,the diaphrams of routinely used stethoscopes in Pamukkale University Education, Training and ResearchCenter were screened for MRSA colonization.METHODS: In Pamukkale University Education, Training and Research Center, one - hundredand three stethoscopes used by doctors’ (68 internal medicine, 30 surgery and 5 intensive care units personnel)were sampled. Totally swab samples of stethoscopes’ diaphragms have cultured on mannitol salt agar. Methicilinresistance have been screened among conventionally identifi ed S.aureus by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.RESULTS: Out of 5 (4.9%) samples were positive for S.aureus while only one (1.0%) isolate have been identifi edas MRSA.CONCLUSION: Microorganisms are easily spread by the common items used in the hospital environment.Stethoscopes may play a role in the spread of hospital infections. Stethoscopes should be included in S.aureusscreening procedures from hospital environment.}, number={3}, publisher={Pamukkale Üniversitesi}