Findings in publication highlight plummeting hospital bloodstream infections, implying $1.5 billion in annual healthcare savings if implemented.
SAN DIEGO, Calif., October 21, 2026 — AseptiScope, Inc. reports a groundswell of interest in The DiskCover System following publication of a study in Critical Care Nurse documenting an 84% reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates during a quality improvement initiative at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
The independently conducted study followed 5,226 intensive care patients over four years. Following the integration of stethoscope hygiene with The DiskCover System into an intensive care infection prevention “bundle”, infection rates dropped by 84%, with zero infections sustained throughout the final year of the study.
Growing Interest in The DiskCover System
Since the study’s publication on October 1, AseptiScope has experienced a spike in product requests and technical demonstrations, reflecting the high priority hospitals place on preventing CLABSIs.
The publication has focused new attention on the highly contaminated stethoscope as a significant gap in patient safety, especially in settings where patients are particularly vulnerable to healthcare-associated infections (HAI).
For AseptiScope, the growing interest reflects an important shift in the conversation around stethoscope hygiene: from recognizing contaminated stethoscopes as a potential source of pathogen exposure to considering how aseptic stethoscope barriers can be incorporated into routine patient care.
The human toll of preventable infections
“A central line-associated bloodstream infection can have devastating consequences, from prolonged hospital stays to loss of life,” said Cynthia Cadwell, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, CNS, CPHQ, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Healthcare Quality Consultant. “These events also take a toll on the nurses dedicated to protecting patients, contributing to moral distress, burnout, and diminished confidence in their ability to keep patients safe. That’s why innovations like The DiskCover System matter. If we can make everyday practices, such as using a stethoscope, safer for all, we have a responsibility to do so.”
The financial burden on healthcare
Beyond their impact on patients and families, central line-associated bloodstream infections carry a substantial financial burden. The investigators of the October study cite 60,400 annual CLABSI patients in U.S. hospitals and approximately $48,000 in costs per infection. Based on the reproducibility of the study results, the authors conclude that 50,736 CLABSI events could be avoided annually, corresponding to $1.5 billion in potential healthcare cost savings.
“Healthcare providers struggle with the human and financial costs of hospital-acquired infections every day,” said Scott Mader, Chief Executive Officer of AseptiScope, Inc. “These findings point to the value of practical prevention measures that fit into everyday care. The DiskCover System is designed to effectively and immediately address an often-overlooked pathogen exposure pathway, and we are gratified that an affordable solution can contribute to both patient safety and healthcare cost avoidance in a meaningful way”.
A practical advance in stethoscope hygiene
Reusable stethoscopes move between patients throughout clinical shifts and can carry microorganisms, including multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). The DiskCover System automatically applies a single-use aseptic barrier to the diaphragm in under two seconds, eliminating direct contact between the reusable diaphragm and patient skin.
At VA Memphis, mean CLABSI rates declined from 4.42 to 0.70 infections per 1,000 central catheter days following implementation of a bundle that added The DiskCover System and standardized chlorhexidine-impregnated central catheter dressings.
About The DiskCover System
The DiskCover System is a wall-mounted, touch-free stethoscope hygiene system that applies single-use aseptic barriers to stethoscope diaphragms before patient assessments. It is designed to integrate into everyday clinical workflows as an additional protective measure.
About AseptiScope, Inc.
AseptiScope, Inc. develops patient safety technologies designed to address preventable pathogen exposure in healthcare through practical solutions that fit into routine clinical care.
Media Contact:
Anthony Pham
Investor Relations
858-382-8142
