I have a used thoracic stethescope that is in remarkably good condition. However, I don't want to just clean it, but to sterilize it, if at all possible. Who knows where it's been, although it looks like it's never been used.
I'm this side of being a "germaphobe" and I want to make sure this thing is really clean in every nook and crevice!
Thanks!
2007-03-15 18:37:45 · 5 answers · asked by C B 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
From 3M Littman Stethoscopes Website
General cleaning instructions:
Do not immerse your stethoscope in any liquid or subject it to any sterilization process. If disinfection is required, the stethoscope may be wiped with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution
Keep your stethoscope away from extreme heat, cold, solvents and oils
Eartips may be removed from the eartubes for thorough cleaning
2007-03-15 18:52:14 · answer #1 · answered by Rickydotcom 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Surgical instruments are usually sterilized using a device called an autoclave, which is basically just a pressure cooker that nukes the instruments with hot steam. However, subjecting a stethoscope to this kind of heat (or even just boiling it) would damage it beyond use. Cleaning it thoroughly with 70% isopropyl alcohol will be sufficient.
2007-03-15 18:48:23 · answer #2 · answered by P.I. Joe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hospitals sterilize medical devices in several ways. They could use a machine called an autoclave, which heats water well above the boiling point. Or they could use radiation (gamma rays). Or they could bombard them under pressure with toxic gases.
What you can do: You could boil it if it's all metal. If not, you could soak it in alcohol and use antibacterial cleanser on it. I don't think there's any real way you could get it what a hospital would consider "sterile", but you might be able to approximate "aseptic".
2007-03-15 18:50:44 · answer #3 · answered by Lori H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don´t really need to sterilize a stethescope, it is going to be "contaminated" again next time you use it, you can clean it with some alcohol or lysol if that make you feel better, it is gonna be cleaner and almost germ free. good luck
2007-03-15 18:46:44 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol is really effective, and you can go one step better. Get the 91% that is used for injection prep. It gets things "squeeky" clean.
2007-03-15 18:56:10 · answer #5 · answered by charley128 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋