Stethoscopes are an indispensable tool in healthcare, but they are also well-documented vectors for infection. Studies reveal that stethoscopes harbor bacteria as often as hands, with 85% of stethoscopes showing contamination, including pathogens like MRSA and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*. Despite this, fewer than 20% of stethoscopes are disinfected between patients, and less than 4% of cleaning practices meet CDC guidelines. In critical scenarios, such as examinations near open wounds, stethoscope cleaning is virtually nonexistent. The traditional stethoscope, while essential, is often neglected as a potential source of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Medical professionals already handle their phones frequently throughout the day. Research shows that clinicians interact with their phones up to 90 times per shift, and phones are increasingly integrated into healthcare workflows for tasks like looking up patient records, calculating dosages, and coordinating care. This routine use has normalized the habit of keeping phones clean — studies show that healthcare workers are more likely to clean their phones periodically compared to stethoscopes, which are cleaned only sporadically, if at all.

When using Stethophone, the smartphone becomes a diagnostic tool, but one with better opportunities for cleaning. A smartphone’s smooth, hard surface is easier to disinfect effectively than the intricate design of a stethoscope, which includes tubing and diaphragms that are often overlooked during cleaning. Wiping a phone with alcohol-based cleaners or using UV sanitizers is quick and effective, and given the existing focus on phone hygiene, healthcare providers may already be accustomed to these practices. Stethophone combines modern convenience with an opportunity to improve sanitation practices in clinical environments.

Any  hesitance to use a phone for auscultation may stem from misplaced concerns about contamination. Yet, the statistics suggest the opposite: Stethophones not only simplify diagnostics but also provide an opportunity to align disinfection practices with modern clinical realities. By replacing the traditional stethoscope with a smartphone for auscultation, professionals can streamline both workflow and hygiene.

In a world where healthcare-associated infections remain a significant concern, tools like Stethophone aren’t just innovative — they are part of a cleaner, safer future for both providers and patients.

Endnotes

1. Stethoscopes are often as contaminated as hands and harbor pathogens like MRSA and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*. Source: [American Journal of Infection Control, 2019].
2. Only 18% of stethoscopes are cleaned between patients, and less than 4% meet CDC guidelines. Source: [American Journal of Infection Control, 2019].
3. Clinicians interact with their phones up to 90 times per shift. Source: [Mobile Device Usage in Healthcare, 2018].
4. Smartphones are easier to disinfect than stethoscopes due to their smooth surfaces. Source: [Infection Control Best Practices, 2020].