{
  "name": "Stethoscope cleaning agents and practices: what the manufacturer leaflet, CDC guideline and systematic review state",
  "description": "Compares eleven cleaning agents and practices for stethoscopes with the position stated by the 3M Littmann cleaning leaflet (2020), the CDC Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, and the 2020 Napolitani et al. systematic review of 17 studies. Cells record only what each source states; a dash means the source does not address it.",
  "page": "https://casrai.org/guides/how-to-clean-a-stethoscope",
  "publisher": "CASRAI",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "dateModified": "2026-11-12T20:26:46Z",
  "temporalCoverage": "2020/2026",
  "spatialCoverage": null,
  "columns": [
    {
      "name": "Agent or practice",
      "unit": "",
      "description": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "3M Littmann leaflet",
      "unit": "",
      "description": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "CDC guideline",
      "unit": "",
      "description": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "2020 systematic review",
      "unit": "",
      "description": ""
    }
  ],
  "rows": [
    {
      "Agent or practice": "70% isopropyl alcohol swab",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "Wipe entire diaphragm(s) and bell, between every patient, ideally just before use",
      "CDC guideline": "Not named for stethoscopes; EPA-registered hospital disinfectant per label (IB)",
      "2020 systematic review": "Isopropyl alcohol lowered bacteria on stethoscope surfaces"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "Alcohol wipes (general)",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "Alcohol-impregnated swabs also for tubing",
      "CDC guideline": "-",
      "2020 systematic review": "Alcohol wipes showed effective results"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "90% ethanol",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "-",
      "CDC guideline": "-",
      "2020 systematic review": "Lowered bacteria on stethoscope surfaces"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "66% ethyl alcohol",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "-",
      "CDC guideline": "-",
      "2020 systematic review": "Lowered bacteria on stethoscope surfaces"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "Mild soap solution on soft cloth",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "For tubing",
      "CDC guideline": "-",
      "2020 systematic review": "-"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "2% bleach solution",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "May be used; excessive use may slightly discolor tubing",
      "CDC guideline": "-",
      "2020 systematic review": "Sodium hypochlorite lowered bacteria on stethoscope surfaces"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "Alcohol-based hand sanitizer",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "Not recommended: moisturizers can make single-piece diaphragms swell and fall off",
      "CDC guideline": "-",
      "2020 systematic review": "Ethanol-based hand sanitizer lowered bacteria on stethoscope surfaces"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "Immersion in liquid",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "Do not immerse",
      "CDC guideline": "-",
      "2020 systematic review": "-"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "Sterilization process",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "Do not subject to any sterilization process",
      "CDC guideline": "-",
      "2020 systematic review": "-"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "Low-level disinfection of noncritical equipment",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "-",
      "CDC guideline": "Recommended for noncritical equipment (Category II); when visibly soiled and on a regular basis (II)",
      "2020 systematic review": "Notes low-level disinfection for noncritical contact with intact skin"
    },
    {
      "Agent or practice": "After use on contact-precautions patient",
      "3M Littmann leaflet": "-",
      "CDC guideline": "Disinfect before use on another patient if no dedicated or disposable device (IB)",
      "2020 systematic review": "-"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "3M Littmann Cleaning and care tips",
      "url": "https://res.onemed.com/SE/IU/285748.pdf",
      "accessed": "2026-11-12"
    },
    {
      "title": "CDC Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities: summary of recommendations",
      "url": "https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/summary-recommendations.html",
      "accessed": "2026-11-12"
    },
    {
      "title": "CDC rational approach to disinfection and sterilization",
      "url": "https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/rational-approach.html",
      "accessed": "2026-11-12"
    },
    {
      "title": "Napolitani et al. 2020 Methods of Disinfecting Stethoscopes: Systematic Review",
      "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7143198/",
      "accessed": "2026-11-12"
    }
  ]
}