Background Stethoscopes can be microorganism reservoirs. The US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) has published medical equipment disinfection guidelines to
minimize infection transmission risk, but studies of guideline adherence have been
predominately survey based, with little direct observation of disinfection practices. Methods
We performed an observational, cross-sectional, anonymous study of patient-provider
interactions, assessing practitioners' frequency and methods of stethoscope and hand�…