A. Do i need to carry a tuning fork and B. if so, which Hz is the preferred? 128, 256? Don't most of the wards have one to loan out? I just dont want to be the intern with TOO MUCH stuff in my pockets!!! :D

I carry the really low-frequency one (with big bells on the ends... 128 hz?) because (in that order) a) it's fun to play with and b) it's useful for patients with suspected neuropathies.

A. Do i need to carry a tuning fork and B. if so, which Hz is the preferred? 128, 256? Don't most of the wards have one to loan out? I just dont want to be the intern with TOO MUCH stuff in my pockets!!! :D

Try this (http://www.allheart.com/omhummer.html). :)

"superior convenience and maneuverability." (yes, I often have trouble making the turns... just last night in the ICU I had to pull a 9-Gee split-S with my reflex hammer to get Maverick and Goose off my tail).

"easy to use and also prevents stabs when bending." (every year hundreds of interns are cut down at the peak of their career by accidental tuning fork seppuku).

I'll show myself out. :p

I haven't used that 2 n 1 reflex hammer. Does anyone have any experience with that? But I do like AllHeart so I'll probably order from there. Thanks

"superior convenience and maneuverability." (yes, I often have trouble making the turns... just last night in the ICU I had to pull a 9-Gee split-S with my reflex hammer to get Maverick and Goose off my tail).

"easy to use and also prevents stabs when bending." (every year hundreds of interns are cut down at the peak of their career by accidental tuning fork seppuku).

I'll show myself out. :p

My personal favorite is "slides out smoothly when needed." With your quick-draw skills, you'll be the "Fastest hammer on 4 West." ;)

Here's another interesting idea (http://www.idsa.org/idea/idea2005/b1234.htm). No tuning fork, but it gets the hammer out of your pocket.

http://www.idsa.org/idea/idea2005/images/1234-B-StethReflexHammer.jpg

Cool! :)

Add a scrunchie over the tubing and you'll be the envy of every float nurse on the wards!

I carry the really low-frequency one (with big bells on the ends... 128 hz?) because (in that order) a) it's fun to play with and b) it's useful for patients with suspected neuropathies.

This is the right answer (and for both reasons!). The 256 and 512Hz for hearing testing (Weber and Rinne) doesn't work for generalist physicians (Does this patient have hearing impairment? J Amer Med Assoc. 2006;295: 416-428, Jan 25.) But, if you really learn how to use the 128Hz you can pick up neuropathies. Impaired vibratory sense works about as well as the monofilament (which are sometimes hard to find on hospital wards) for detecting diabetic neuropathy. Most people look for "absent" vibratory sense, but it works better if you look for differences between the legs and for differences in perception as you move proximally from the great toe.

Duplicate post, sorry.

The 256 and 512Hz for hearing testing (Weber and Rinne) doesn't work for generalist physicians (Does this patient have hearing impairment? J Amer Med Assoc. 2006;295: 416-428, Jan 25.) But, if you really learn how to use the 128Hz you can pick up neuropathies.

You could try an adjustable tuning fork (http://sciencekit.com/category.asp?c=439497&cr=1479).

http://sciencekit.com/images/250/63/s63530.jpg

Gold plated? Doctor Kelso is in the house!

The load would be far too great if I carried a reflex hammer and a tuning fork. Since I use the hammer more often, I let the med students carry the forks for me. :D

It's all about the zen of balancing the white coat. Reflex hammer, tuning fork, rarely used books (Maxwell, Pharmacopeia) in the right pocked. PDA, Tarascon Critical Care guide, progress notes and patient cards in the left pocket.