unfortunately mrsa can exist on those medical tools. it is really up to the clinic to keep them sanitized and up to the consumer/patient to make sure (a) hands are carefully washed (or gloves used) for examinations (b) stethoscopes and other medical are sanitized between patients (unfortunately a quick wipe with an alcohol swab really does do it). we do live in a germ-laden world and all human carry potential pathogens no matter how clean they appear to be or how well they wash. transmitting germs from one person to another is possible even with the most stringent hygiene procedures. mrsa is transmitted in day-care centers between children transmitted to parents and so on and so on. hospital-acquired mrsa can be deadly.
can mrsa and other staph germs linger on blood pressure cuffs scan thermometers and stethoscopes? . i recently read that mrsa and other very serious staph germs have been detected on every day check-in equipment/instruments at clinics and hospitals. what can we all do to protect ourselves?