A guide to buying the best stethoscope for your practice
History of the stethoscope
Derived from the Greek words “stethos,” meaning chest, and “skopein,” meaning to see or to see, stethoscopes came into existence in 1816 when French physician René Laennec rolled a piece of paper into a tube and discovered that it provided one of the sounds. Instead of just placing the ear against the patient’s chest.
A quarter of a century later, George P. Camman created the first version with two ears. From there, the design underwent a few changes, but none were as acoustically effective as Dr. David Littman. He patented the design in the early 1960s. Today, Littmann is still the most trusted stethoscope brand in the industry.
A stethoscope is a medical sound device to listen to the internal sounds of an animal or human body. Usually there is a small disk-shaped resonator on the chest and a tube connected to the headphones. It is always used to listen to lung and heart sounds. It is also used to listen to the intestinal and blood flow in the arteries and veins. In combination with a blood pressure monitor, it is widely used to measure blood pressure.
Less often, “medical repair headphones” are used to listen to the internal sounds of machines, such as diagnosing a broken vehicle engine, by listening to the sounds inside. The headphones can also be used to check for scientific vacuum chambers for leaks and other small audio monitoring tasks. A stethoscope focused on hearing is called an endoscope. Headphones are often considered a symbol for healthcare providers because different healthcare providers are often seen or photographed with a stethoscope around their neck. However, the cardiologist said that “auscultation is not necessary” for the cardiovascular system. For this reason, cardiology in secondary and tertiary health settings can leave the stethoscope for years before performing primary care, pediatrics, and physical therapy. Medical headphones often have rubber pads that create a plug that provides comfort and improves the acoustic function of the ear and the device.
The stethoscope consists of two parts: it has the air buttons on the top and the membrane on the bottom. You want to make sure that the stethoscope is placed correctly on the ears so that the air buttons should point forward and not for yourself, otherwise you do not have the right sounds and it may also be interference. You want to place the diaphragm on the skin and not on clothes, otherwise it may also cause interference, so with the stethoscope you want to put the diaphragm on the patient’s skin. Doctor usually use stethoscope to listen to heart sounds and also belly sounds. It’s also use to listen to the lungs and to the front and both to the back.
Parts of the stethoscope:
Parts of the stethoscope
Important aspects of a standard stethoscope are the receiver, the tube and its length, chest and shape. Stethoscopes are now available in a selection of standard or electric. While electric stethoscopes are state-of-the-art and have a high-tech look, they are not necessary for everyone.
Headset for stethoscope:
Headset for stethoscope
Normally, a standard stethoscope has two silicone or rubber ear cups. Finding the right setting determines the quality of the sound the user will hear. Depending on the brand and quality of the stethoscope, the device can be fitted with earphones of different sizes to ensure a correct fit. Hearing aids should fit properly, but they should not be tight enough to affect sound. hear or choke. the internal sounds of the patient.
Stethoscope tube and length:
Stethoscopes come in various sizes, usually between 22 and 31 inches (55-80 cm); the most common length you will find is 27 inches (70 cm). For some doctors, length doesn’t matter, but keep in mind that the shorter the stethoscope, the closer it is to the patient. Most caregivers believe that 27 inches provides enough length for both the patient and caregiver to maintain their personal space.
One more factor to consider: back health, especially important for nurses! With a longer length, you may need to bend over less.
And if you’re concerned that longer stethoscopes could produce inferior sound quality, don’t be. Research from the National Institutes of Health does not support this general hypothesis.
Another important consideration is the quality of the pipes. The quality stethoscopes have tubes that last long. The cheaper quality may have thinner material, are more likely to crack and wear.
Diaphragm for stethoscope:
There are two main parts of the chest piece of a stethoscope: the diaphragm and the bell. The diaphragm is flat and picks up high-frequency sounds, such as those from the heart, lungs or intestines. Also ideal for reading blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor. In fact, some standard stethoscopes only have a one-sided chest piece with a diaphragm.
In double-sided versions, the small curved side of the chest is the bell. It is indicated for the absorption of low-frequency sounds, such as heart murmurs or murmurs, as well as high-frequency sounds in pediatric patients.
Stethoscope shape:
Most stethoscopes have two ears and consist of a single tube with a round chestpiece at the end. But there are other ways to choose. For example, if you take a lot of blood pressure readings, consider one with a flatter oval chest, as this shape can slide more easily under a blood pressure cuff. Note that the chest piece shapes generally don’t affect sound quality, so feel free to choose based on your personal preference.
How to Clean Your Stethoscope in Detail:
Cleaning the stethoscope is an important topic that we easily forget during our service. Apart from our hands, the most commonly used items that can cause cross-contamination are our vital signs equipment. Sometimes, because we’re so busy, we forget that our stethoscopes were already from another patient, so the quick way to clean our stethoscopes and the deep clean we can do at least once a week. Since we cannot thoroughly clean the stethoscopes after every patient, we should use the small alcohol prepackages containing 70% isopropyl alcohol. We should always have a few in our pocket like most nurses do. It is easy to use and throw away. First clean both mouth pieces then clean the diaphragm because it has been on the patient. We should also rub the tube and let it dry completely before hanging it around our neck. It is now ready for use for the next patient.
The best stethoscope for your profession and specialty:
Depending on the field in which you work, you can have different requirements for a stethoscope. For example, some doctors just need a simple stethoscope that can detect basic sounds from the heart, lungs, and intestines. Others, especially those specializing in cardiology, need a wider range of frequencies that can only be heard with a more advanced device.
If you are a registered nurse in a hospital or doctor’s office, you should consider a standard, good quality stethoscope. The 3M Littmann Classic III is a mid-priced, premium stethoscope that meets your basic testing needs and lasts a long time.
If you work in cardiology, consider purchasing a stethoscope that has your specialty to its name. Littmann’s 3M Cardiology IV has best rating over all. A nurse praised the acoustic sensitivity and clarity of sound, regardless of how much background noise was present. It’s expensive, but you feel subtle changes in arrhythmias and more.
PAs and APRNs are more likely to make autonomous treatment decisions than RNs. For this responsibility, a high-quality stethoscope, such as the 3M Littmann Master Cardiology, will be useful. It doesn’t have a bell, but you can adjust the aperture to pick up base with a simple pressure change. The Master Cardiology also includes an adapter for infant or pediatric auscultation.
The best cardiology stethoscopes:
Regardless of your degree, if you work in cardiology, you can’t go wrong with 3M Littmann Master Cardiology. But if you don’t want to spend more money, consider Littmann’s 3M Cardiology IV. You save dollars without sacrificing device capabilities or sound quality.
Best Stethoscopes for Nurses or PA Students:
For School of Nursing the 3M Littmann Classic III monitoring stethoscope will perform well with its adjustable diaphragm. Use it for physical assessments, diagnostics and follow-up of patients. It available in effort able price . MDF is another popular brand among students because it is cheaper. Most of their products cost between $ 25 and $ 55.
Imagine that you are a sick and scared child, pushed and shoved in an unfamiliar environment. For these kids, a less intimidating stethoscope can make a big difference. The adorable ADC Adscope Adimals 618 Pediatric Thoracic Stethoscope‘s interchangeable animal designs are sure to put a lot of smiles on. Noted that the sound quality was not as good as other stethoscopes and less effective with adolescents.
If you’re not very interested in aesthetics, there are other options for pediatric stethoscopes. Littman’s 3M Littmann 2122 Classic II Pediatric is most popular for its balance of cost , sound quality, and durability. If capturing even the most subtle sounds in between tons of background noise, consider the Welch-Allyn-Harvey Pediatric Stethoscope. it’s one of the more expensive stethoscopes on the market, but you won’t have to buy a new one for the rest of your career.
If you need an electronic stethoscope, we hope your employer will reimburse you! They can cost up to 10 times as much as a standard stethoscope. The Littmann 3200 BK,around $ 420, can amplify sounds up to 24 times and eliminate 85% of the surrounding noise. The Thinklabs One Digital Stethoscope,around $ 500, has only one diaphragm and works with headphones. On the relatively affordable end, there is the Eko CORE digital stethoscope for around $ 250.
Tips for buying a stethoscope:
Buying a new stethoscope can be overwhelming, but here are some tips and tricks to find the perfect combination.
Don’t overdo it.
If you are in school or in training, ask your instructors for advice. Find out you can borrow one. When you’re at work, figure out what kind of stethoscope you need and get one that will last, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive. Unfortunately, theft of a stethoscope is common. Most likely, you will leave it at work at least once and not always get it back.
Choose a color that stands out.
The most common colors for stethoscopes are black and blue, which means your stethoscope will look 65% of your peers if you choose these colors. In addition to choosing a featured color, consider engraving it with your name.
Think carefully about your dealer.
If you ask, you may know that a local store offers discounts to health care providers or your employer. There are also many online retailers lowering prices during Nursing Week and other holidays. Check the reviews before making an online purchase. And don’t buy from a site you’ve never heard of without doing some additional research. The reason for their low prices could be that they sell imitator devices.
Don’t forget the carrying case!
Stethoscope carrying cases are handy, keep your device clean and protected, and are another opportunity to show off your personality. They come in many different colors and patterns and rarely cost more than $ 20.Whether you are just starting your healthcare career or are an experienced healthcare professional, purchasing a stethoscope can be stressful. But if you know the basics described here and do some research on your own, you won’t have to repeat this process for a while.
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