BACKGROUND Stethoscopes are contaminated with bacteria, but predictors of stethoscope disinfection frequency are unknown. We sought to describe health care provider stethoscope disinfection attitudes and practices and determine predictors of frequent disinfection. METHODS We used an anonymous online survey of nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians at a pediatric hospital. We assessed fre...

Today it is well demonstrated that stethoscopes can be as contaminated as hands, which are a recognized source of Health-Care Associated Infections (HCAIs). Ultraviolet C (UVC) light has proven disinfection capacity and the innovative UVC technology of Light Emitting Diode (LED) shows several potential benefits. To verify whether the use of UVC LEDs is effective and reliable in stethoscope memb...

• Vol 8 • May 2006 Musical Murmur Cardiac murmur is defined as an audit tory vibration that is more prolonged than heart sounds and is characterized by int tensity (loudness), frequency (pitch), cont figuration (shape), as well as the quality, duration and direction of radiation, and timing related to the cardiac cycle [1]. In daily practice these auscultatory findings can be detected either by...

Three children are described in whom an unusual heart murmur was intermittently audible in the same room without a stethoscope. Subsequent investigations disclosed mitral valve prolapse in all three patients.

Congenital esophageal atresia needs to be surgically corrected as soon as possible. Some will present with post surgical stricture that needs to be dilated by a balloon dilator. This procedure is difficult in premature born due to infant esophageal size and availability of equipments. We herby report the first case in a premature infant with post surgical esophageal stricture of esophageal atre...