5 Things to Know Before Buying a Stethoscope - Stethoscope Buying Guide
Published on July 16, 2021 at 4:43:00 PM PDT July 16, 2021 at 4:43:00 PM PDTth, July 16, 2021 at 4:43:00 PM PDT
Stethoscopes are true ”Partners in Practice” for healthcare professionals. The Stethoscope is essential for the assessment of heart, lung, and bowel sounds in inpatient care. Quality stethoscopes are essential for hearing faint heart murmurs and abnormal lung sounds.
This guide will bring you through crucial factors while buying a stethoscope, from the different variations to minor things to consider.
What are the Differences Between Acoustic, Digital, and Master Stethoscopes
Acoustic stethoscopes are most commonly used by all healthcare professionals. An example of an acoustic stethoscope would be the Littmann Lightweight II SE acoustic stethoscope. They use acoustic pressure waves to transmit sounds from the chest piece to the listener’s ears. They help listen to heart, lung, and bowel sounds as well as taking blood pressures.
Digital and electronic stethoscopes offer sounds to be amplified up to 40x for users who are hard of hearing. Noise cancellation is also helpful for professionals who work in loud environments. Some electronic stethoscopes can transmit sounds via Bluetooth® technology and record soundtracks for teaching purposes.
Littmann stethoscopes are named after Dr. David Littmann who designed a lightweight model with a special chest piece that can hear low and high frequencies. Littmann stethoscope models are now available with dual-frequency or dual-head chest pieces. They remain a favorite among healthcare professionals due to their high sound quality.
Cardiology stethoscopes are designed specifically to hear faint heart sounds and murmurs. They are often used by doctors and advanced practice nurses in intensive care and emergency departments.
What Pieces Make up a Stethoscope?
Chest Pieces
Stethoscope chest pieces are typically made from stainless steel because it is durable and conducts sounds well. Round chest pieces are most common but some practitioners find that oval-shaped chest pieces fit more easily under blood pressure cuffs. Sound transmission is not affected by the shape of the chest piece. Some chest pieces feature hypoallergenic non-chill rims to prevent placing cold metal against the patient’s skin.
Most acoustic stethoscopes feature dual-head chest pieces. The chest piece is rotated to hear from either the bell or diaphragm. The wider side is the diaphragm used to hear higher-pitched sounds of the heart and lungs. The other side is the bell which is used to hear lower-pitched sounds such as heart murmurs and bowel sounds. The bell may be covered with a small-diaphragm when caring for pediatric patients.
Single-sided chest pieces with tunable diaphragms allow users to hear low or high-frequency sounds by adjusting the pressure against the patient’s skin. This allows the user to easily switch between high and low-pitched sounds without having to rotate the chest piece between the bell and diaphragm.
Ear Tips
Stethoscope ear tips are available in a variety of sizes and materials. Soft-sealing ear tips should fit perfectly into the outer ear canal to provide the best sound quality. Most headsets are adjustable for individual fit and comfort. The ear tips should snap tight to the ear tubes so that they are not lost or swallowed by children. The ear tubes should be angled toward the user’s nose when using the stethoscope for comfort and the best sound quality. Wearing the stethoscope with the ear tubes pointed toward the user can result in complete blockage of sounds.
Tubing
Stethoscope tubing should be made from high-quality materials to remain flexible after it is folded tightly in bags, holsters, and pockets. Stethoscope tubing is responsible for transmitting sounds from the patient to the user. High-quality tubing is important to eliminate external noises and allow the user to hear clearly through the stethoscope. Tubing should be free of latex and phthalate plasticizers to prevent allergic reactions. Some healthcare professionals prefer dark colors because they are less likely to become stained over time while others prefer bright colors.
What Accessories Should I Buy With My Stethoscope?
Name tags are important because stethoscopes look similar and are easily mislaid. Name tags should be attached securely but not get in the way. Even though stethoscopes are commonly draped around the neck during shifts, skin oils can be absorbed into the tubing. Stethoscopes are a safety hazard when dealing with combative patients. Bacteria transfers from the skin when in bare contact with the stethoscope as well. Holsters allow stethoscopes to hang on a belt clip and eliminate the need to drape them around the neck. The holster will protect the stethoscope from damage. Healthcare professionals should never drape stethoscopes around their necks when working with disorderly or combative patients. Cloth and neoprene stethoscope covers should be avoided because they readily spread infections.
-Name Tag for your stethoscope
-A Holster to extend the life of your stethoscope purchase
How to Clean and Maintain a Stethoscope
Stethoscopes must be cleaned between patients with 70% isopropyl alcohol solution to prevent spreading infection. Hand sanitizer should never be used as a cleaning agent as the moisturizers and other additives may damage parts of the stethoscope. Stethoscopes must never be immersed in liquids or placed in steam sterilizing units. Exposure to extreme temperatures, solvents, and oils can damage the tubing. Remove the ear tips from the ear tubes for cleaning and snap them back into place. Clean ear tips with isopropyl alcohol when switched between users.
-Clean with Alcohol prep pads between patients
-Don't use hand sanitizer
-Keep in Cool Dry Storage
-Clean Ear Tips Periodically
Considerations When Choosing a Stethoscope
Good quality stethoscopes are essential for healthcare professionals and students to hear sounds well. The standard student stethoscope is a single tube stethoscope with a bell and diaphragm. Only advanced practitioners should use cardiology stethoscopes with tunable diaphragms. Students who have bad hearing should not have a digital stethoscope. It is helpful to have replacement parts available, especially ear tips, diaphragms, and bells. Students should select a quality stethoscope when they begin their training so that they will hear sounds correctly as they work with patients. Stethoscopes can last for many years and are an important investment for professional practice.
Contact us
If you have any more questions about Stethoscopes or need help picking on out do not hesitate to reach out to the professionals at DiaMedical USA. Call us at (877) 593-6011 or email at Info@DiaMedicalUSA.com
Our office hours are 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM EST M-F