Stethoscope Hygiene and HAI Prevention: What’s Overhyped, Underrated, and Non-Negotiable in Infection Control?

Infection prevention experts weigh in: What’s overhyped in stethoscope hygiene? Disposable scopes. What’s underrated? Real-time auditing, education, and barriers that prevent contamination. What’s non-negotiable? Accountability and a commitment to “do no harm.” Preventing health care-associated infections (HAIs) requires policy and demands practical, measurable action at the bedside.