Stethoscopes
Otoscopes
Heart Murmurs
Heart Sounds
Equipment Contamination
Liniments
Electronics, Medical
Phonocardiography
The stethoscope in the Emergency Department: a vector of infection? (1/35)
The purposes of this study were to determine whether microorganisms can be isolated from the membranes of stethoscopes used by clinicians and nurses, and to analyse whether or not the degree of bacterial colonization could be reduced with different cleaning methods. We designed a transversal before-after study in which 122 stethoscopes were examined. Coagulase negative staphylococci (which are also potentially pathogenic microorganisms) were isolated together with 13 other potentially pathogenic microorganisms, including S. aureus, Acinetobacter sp. and Enterobacter agglomerans. The most effective antiseptic was propyl alcohol. Analysis of the cleaning habits of the Emergency Department (ED) staff, showed that 45% cleaned the stethoscope annually or never. The isolation of potentially pathogenic microorganisms suggests that the stethoscope must be considered as a potential vector of infection not only in the ED but also in other hospital wards and out-patient clinics. (+info)The health professional's role in preventing nosocomial infections. (2/35)
Despite their best intentions, health professionals sometimes act as vectors of disease, disseminating new infections among their unsuspecting clients. Attention to simple preventive strategies may significantly reduce disease transmission rates. Frequent hand washing remains the single most important intervention in infection control. However, identifying mechanisms to ensure compliance by health professionals remains a perplexing problem. Gloves, gowns, and masks have a role in preventing infections, but are often used inappropriately, increasing service costs unnecessarily. While virulent microorganisms can be cultured from stethoscopes and white coats, their role in disease transmission remains undefined. There is greater consensus about sterile insertion techniques for intravascular catheters-a common source of infections-and their care. By following a few simple rules identified in this review, health professionals may prevent much unnecessary medical and financial distress to their patients. (+info)The efficacy of stethoscope placement when not in use: traditional versus "cool". (3/35)
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the "cool" or circumcervical placement of the stethoscope when not in use is as efficacious as the traditional placement in terms of transfer time to the functional position. METHODS: Measurement of time taken by 100 health care professionals in each group to transfer stethoscope to functional position. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: The cool group was much slower than the traditional group, despite their younger years. This wasted time could translate into a substantial financial burden on Canada's health care system. (+info)Stethoscope: a friend or an enemy? (4/35)
CONTEXT: The stethoscope is a universal tool in the hospital that is in direct contact with many patients and can therefore be a vector in the dissemination of bacterial infections. OBJECTIVE: To research the presence of bacteria, fungi and yeast on the stethoscope diaphragm and the resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial drugs. DESIGN: Descriptive, prospective, non-controlled. SETTING: A tertiary care hospital. SAMPLE: Samples were taken randomly from 300 stethoscopes employed by medical staff (medical residents, medical students, nurses and nursing school students) and other sectors of the hospital. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Three hundred stethoscope diaphragms used in several sectors of the hospital facilities by medical doctors (63 samples), medical residents (54 samples), medical students (106 samples), nursing school students (33 samples) and specific sectors (36 samples) were analyzed. Material was collected randomly. It was collected with the aid of a sterile swab moistened in physiological solution, inoculated into Brain Heart Infusion media and incubated in an oven for 24 to 48 hours. After this period, the samples were inoculated into blood agar, MacConkey agar and Sabouraud media and identified by Gram staining and biochemical assays. An assay to test bacteria sensitivity to antibiotics was also carried out by the Kirby-Bauer method. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of the analyzed stethoscopes were contaminated. Gram-positive cocci, yeasts, fungi and Gram-positive and negative bacilli were isolated. There was no significant association between the most predominant microorganisms and professional category. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus negative coagulase and Bacillus were significantly more frequent in relation to the presence of more than one microorganism on the stethoscope diaphragm. CONCLUSION: Stethoscopes presented a high rate of contamination and their use without precautions can spread nosocomial infections. (+info)Heart murmurs recorded by a sensor based electronic stethoscope and e-mailed for remote assessment. (5/35)
BACKGROUND: Heart murmurs are common in children, and they are often referred to a specialist for examination. A clinically innocent murmur does not need further investigation. The referral area of the University Hospital is large and sparsely populated. A new service for remote auscultation (telemedicine) of heart murmurs in children was established where heart sounds and short texts were sent as an attachment to e-mails. AIM: To assess the clinical quality of this method. METHODS: Heart sounds from 47 patients with no murmur (n = 7), with innocent murmurs (n = 20), or with pathological murmurs (n = 20) were recorded using a sensor based stethoscope and e-mailed to a remote computer. The sounds were repeated, giving 100 cases that were randomly distributed on a compact disc. Four cardiologists assessed and categorised the cases as having "no murmur", "innocent murmur", or "pathological murmur", recorded the assessment time per case, their degree of certainty, and whether they recommended referral. RESULTS: On average, 2.1 minutes were spent on each case. The mean sensitivity and specificity were 89.7% and 98.2% respectively, and the inter-observer and intra-observer variabilities were low (kappa 0.81 and 0.87), respectively. A total of 93.4% of cases with a pathological murmur and 12.6% of cases with an innocent murmur were recommended for referral. CONCLUSION: Telemedical referral of patients with heart murmurs for remote assessment by a cardiologist is safe and saves time. Skilled auscultation is adequate to detect patients with innocent murmurs. (+info)The stethoscope: some preliminary investigations. (6/35)
Textbooks, clinicians, and medical teachers differ as to whether the stethoscope bell or diaphragm should be used for auscultating respiratory sounds at the chest wall. Logic and our results suggest that stethoscope diaphragms are more appropriate. (+info)The StethoDop: a Doppler stethoscope attachment for investigation of arterial and venous insufficiency of the lower extremities. (7/35)
BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether the StethoDop can serve as a valid and reproducible instrument for measuring the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and assessing venous reflux, even when used by inexperienced investigators, in comparison with the classic Doppler. METHODS: I) During four weeks, four ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements were performed on 44 patients: one measurement with the classic Doppler by an experienced investigator, one with the classic Doppler by an inexperienced investigator and two measurements with the StethoDop by the inexperienced investigator. II) 36 patients were screened for venous insufficiency by detecting venous reflux with the StethoDop and classic Doppler at the saphenofemoral and saphenopoplitial junctions by an inexperienced investigator. The results were compared with the results of the duplex as gold standard and with the results of the examination by an experienced dermatologist with the classic Doppler. RESULTS: I) The confidence interval of ABI measurement for both the classic Doppler and the StethoDop by the inexperienced investigator was within an acceptable +/- 0.21 interval of significant change. II) For venous reflux determination, the overall sensitivity and specificity of the StethoDop were comparable with the sensitivity and specificity of the classic Doppler: sensitivity 76.0 and 75.0%, specificity 94.8 and 94.2%, respectively. The positive predictive value of the StethoDop, compared with the duplex, was 87.5%; the negative predictive value was 90.0%. CONCLUSION: I) For ABI measurement, the StethoDop is a valid instrument with reproducible results, even when used by inexperienced investigators. II) For venous reflux determination, the StethoDop is a valid screening instrument for venous insufficiency. However, as with determination with the classic Doppler, the reflux assessment by StethoDop gives no information about the deep veins and may miss up to 24% of apparent reflux. (+info)Validity and reliability of acoustic analysis of respiratory sounds in infants. (8/35)
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity and reliability of computerised acoustic analysis in the detection of abnormal respiratory noises in infants. METHODS: Blinded, prospective comparison of acoustic analysis with stethoscope examination. Validity and reliability of acoustic analysis were assessed by calculating the degree of observer agreement using the kappa statistic with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: 102 infants under 18 months were recruited. Convergent validity for agreement between stethoscope examination and acoustic analysis was poor for wheeze (kappa = 0.07 (95% CI, -0.13 to 0.26)) and rattles (kappa = 0.11 (-0.05 to 0.27)) and fair for crackles (kappa = 0.36 (0.18 to 0.54)). Both the stethoscope and acoustic analysis distinguished well between sounds (discriminant validity). Agreement between observers for the presence of wheeze was poor for both stethoscope examination and acoustic analysis. Agreement for rattles was moderate for the stethoscope but poor for acoustic analysis. Agreement for crackles was moderate using both techniques. Within-observer reliability for all sounds using acoustic analysis was moderate to good. CONCLUSIONS: The stethoscope is unreliable for assessing respiratory sounds in infants. This has important implications for its use as a diagnostic tool for lung disorders in infants, and confirms that it cannot be used as a gold standard. Because of the unreliability of the stethoscope, the validity of acoustic analysis could not be demonstrated, although it could discriminate between sounds well and showed good within-observer reliability. For acoustic analysis, targeted training and the development of computerised pattern recognition systems may improve reliability so that it can be used in clinical practice. (+info)A stethoscope is a medical device used for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of the body. It is most commonly used to hear the heartbeat, lung sounds, and blood flow in the major arteries. The device consists of a small disc-shaped resonator that is placed against the skin, connected by tubing to two earpieces. Stethoscopes come in different types and designs, but all serve the primary purpose of amplifying and transmitting body sounds to facilitate medical diagnosis.
Heart auscultation is a medical procedure in which a healthcare professional uses a stethoscope to listen to the sounds produced by the heart. The process involves placing the stethoscope on various locations of the chest wall to hear different areas of the heart.
The sounds heard during auscultation are typically related to the opening and closing of the heart valves, as well as the turbulence created by blood flow through the heart chambers. These sounds can provide important clues about the structure and function of the heart, allowing healthcare professionals to diagnose various cardiovascular conditions such as heart murmurs, valvular disorders, and abnormal heart rhythms.
Heart auscultation is a key component of a physical examination and requires proper training and experience to interpret the findings accurately.
Auscultation is a medical procedure in which a healthcare professional uses a stethoscope to listen to the internal sounds of the body, such as heart, lung, or abdominal sounds. These sounds can provide important clues about a person's health and help diagnose various medical conditions, such as heart valve problems, lung infections, or digestive issues.
During auscultation, the healthcare professional places the stethoscope on different parts of the body and listens for any abnormal sounds, such as murmurs, rubs, or wheezes. They may also ask the person to perform certain movements, such as breathing deeply or coughing, to help identify any changes in the sounds.
Auscultation is a simple, non-invasive procedure that can provide valuable information about a person's health. It is an essential part of a physical examination and is routinely performed by healthcare professionals during regular checkups and hospital visits.
An otoscope is a medical device used to examine the ear canal and eardrum. It consists of a handle, a speculum (a disposable or reusable attachment that fits on the end of the handle), and a light source. The speculum is inserted into the ear canal, allowing the healthcare provider to visualize the eardrum and assess its condition, as well as check for any foreign objects, wax buildup, or signs of infection in the ear canal. Otoscopes are commonly used by primary care physicians, pediatricians, and specialists such as otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors).
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat, which is caused by turbulent blood flow through the heart. It is often described as a blowing, whooshing, or rasping noise. Heart murmurs can be innocent (harmless and not associated with any heart disease) or pathological (indicating an underlying heart condition). They are typically detected during routine physical examinations using a stethoscope. The classification of heart murmurs includes systolic, diastolic, continuous, and functional murmurs, based on the timing and auscultatory location. Various heart conditions, such as valvular disorders, congenital heart defects, or infections, can cause pathological heart murmurs. Further evaluation with diagnostic tests like echocardiography is often required to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
Heart sounds are the noises generated by the beating heart and the movement of blood through it. They are caused by the vibration of the cardiac structures, such as the valves, walls, and blood vessels, during the cardiac cycle.
There are two normal heart sounds, often described as "lub-dub," that can be heard through a stethoscope. The first sound (S1) is caused by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves at the beginning of systole, when the ventricles contract to pump blood out to the body and lungs. The second sound (S2) is produced by the closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves at the end of systole, as the ventricles relax and the ventricular pressure decreases, allowing the valves to close.
Abnormal heart sounds, such as murmurs, clicks, or extra sounds (S3 or S4), may indicate cardiac disease or abnormalities in the structure or function of the heart. These sounds can be evaluated through a process called auscultation, which involves listening to the heart with a stethoscope and analyzing the intensity, pitch, quality, and timing of the sounds.
Equipment contamination in a medical context refers to the presence of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, on the surfaces of medical equipment or devices. This can occur during use, storage, or transportation of the equipment and can lead to the transmission of infections to patients, healthcare workers, or other individuals who come into contact with the contaminated equipment.
Equipment contamination can occur through various routes, including contact with contaminated body fluids, airborne particles, or environmental surfaces. To prevent equipment contamination and the resulting infection transmission, it is essential to follow strict infection control practices, such as regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and proper handling and storage of medical devices.
Liniments are medicated topical preparations that are usually in the form of liquids, lotions, or gels. They are intended for external use and are often used to relieve pain, inflammation, or muscle stiffness. The active ingredients in liniments can include various substances such as counterirritants, analgesics, rubefacients, or capsaicin. These ingredients work by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, or stimulating sensory nerves to provide a heating or cooling sensation that can help alleviate discomfort.
Liniments are typically applied to the skin and then rubbed in gently until they are fully absorbed. They should not be used on broken or irritated skin, and it is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for proper use and application. If you have any concerns about using liniments or if you experience adverse reactions, you should consult a healthcare professional.
"Medical electronics" refers to the field of electronics that is specifically designed for medical applications. This can include a wide range of devices and systems, such as:
1. Medical imaging equipment, such as X-ray machines, CT scanners, MRI machines, and ultrasound machines.
2. Patient monitoring equipment, such as heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, and oxygen saturation monitors.
3. Therapeutic devices, such as pacemakers, defibrillators, and deep brain stimulators.
4. Laboratory equipment, such as DNA sequencers, mass spectrometers, and microarray scanners.
5. Wearable health technology, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and continuous glucose monitors.
6. Telemedicine systems that enable remote consultations and patient monitoring.
Medical electronics must meet strict regulatory requirements to ensure safety, effectiveness, and reliability. These devices often require specialized electronic components, such as sensors, signal processing circuits, and power management circuits, that are designed to operate in the challenging environments found in medical settings. Medical electronics engineers must have a deep understanding of both electronics and medical applications to design and develop these complex systems.
Phonocardiography is a non-invasive medical procedure that involves the graphical representation and analysis of sounds produced by the heart. It uses a device called a phonocardiograph to record these sounds, which are then displayed as waveforms on a screen. The procedure is often used in conjunction with other diagnostic techniques, such as electrocardiography (ECG), to help diagnose various heart conditions, including valvular heart disease and heart murmurs.
During the procedure, a specialized microphone called a phonendoscope is placed on the chest wall over the area of the heart. The microphone picks up the sounds generated by the heart's movements, such as the closing and opening of the heart valves, and transmits them to the phonocardiograph. The phonocardiograph then converts these sounds into a visual representation, which can be analyzed for any abnormalities or irregularities in the heart's function.
Phonocardiography is a valuable tool for healthcare professionals, as it can provide important insights into the health and functioning of the heart. By analyzing the waveforms produced during phonocardiography, doctors can identify any potential issues with the heart's valves or other structures, which may require further investigation or treatment. Overall, phonocardiography is an essential component of modern cardiac diagnostics, helping to ensure that patients receive accurate and timely diagnoses for their heart conditions.
"History, 19th Century" is not a medical term or concept. It refers to the historical events, developments, and figures related to the 1800s in various fields, including politics, culture, science, and technology. However, if you are looking for medical advancements during the 19th century, here's a brief overview:
The 19th century was a period of significant progress in medicine, with numerous discoveries and innovations that shaped modern medical practices. Some notable developments include:
1. Edward Jenner's smallpox vaccine (1796): Although not strictly within the 19th century, Jenner's discovery laid the foundation for vaccination as a preventive measure against infectious diseases.
2. Germ theory of disease: The work of Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, and others established that many diseases were caused by microorganisms, leading to the development of antiseptic practices and vaccines.
3. Anesthesia: In 1842, Crawford Long first used ether as an anesthetic during surgery, followed by the introduction of chloroform in 1847 by James Simpson.
4. Antisepsis and asepsis: Joseph Lister introduced antiseptic practices in surgery, significantly reducing postoperative infections. Later, the concept of asepsis (sterilization) was developed to prevent contamination during surgical procedures.
5. Microbiology: The development of techniques for culturing and staining bacteria allowed for better understanding and identification of pathogens.
6. Physiology: Claude Bernard's work on the regulation of internal body functions, or homeostasis, contributed significantly to our understanding of human physiology.
7. Neurology: Jean-Martin Charcot made significant contributions to the study of neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
8. Psychiatry: Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis, a new approach to understanding mental illnesses.
9. Public health: The 19th century saw the establishment of public health organizations and initiatives aimed at improving sanitation, water quality, and vaccination programs.
10. Medical education reforms: The Flexner Report in 1910 led to significant improvements in medical education standards and practices.
Disinfection is the process of eliminating or reducing harmful microorganisms from inanimate objects and surfaces through the use of chemicals, heat, or other methods. The goal of disinfection is to reduce the number of pathogens to a level that is considered safe for human health. Disinfection is an important step in preventing the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings, food processing facilities, and other environments where there is a risk of infection transmission.
It's important to note that disinfection is not the same as sterilization, which is the complete elimination of all microorganisms, including spores. Disinfection is generally less effective than sterilization but is often sufficient for most non-critical surfaces and objects. The choice between disinfection and sterilization depends on the level of risk associated with the item or surface being treated and the intended use of that item or surface.