Do we need expensive stethoscopes?

[Law2Doc]

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If your hospital has rules about leaving your steth outside isolation rooms, it's different from the ones I've been in. You gown/glove up and use the disposable stethoscope. Keep your steth in your pocket.

If you lose them constantly, well, that sucks. Put a tracker on it I guess. Not much else you can do.

I've worked in quite a few hospitals at this point and they all require white coats off and staying out of the room before you gown up. Your hospital probably even has that rule too, just that they didn't convey it to people or have any enforcement. Wait until residency. You may live in a region where MRSA just isn't as prevalent and your hospital just hasn't caught up to the rest of the nation in terms of white coats being major vehicles of transmission. Certainly you have to leave your white coat outside the OR or procedure rooms, no? At any rate it kind of sound like your work situation varies from many, so you might want to put the "too stupid to live" comments into your back pocket and save them for times more appropriate. Scopes get stolen. There are rules in many hospitals where you will be forced to keep your white coat and it contents accessible and out of your sight. Much like you wouldn't want an expensive piece if jewelry hanging out of your coat in a poorly guarded hallway open to the public, you wouldn't want an expensive piece of medical equipment. These things tend to walk off. If not at your med school, then likely where you do residency, fellowship or your first attending job. The scope you can pick up on eBay for $60 probably works as well as the shiny new one that costs three times that, and walks off half as often. Just saying.

 

[Kahreek]

Welp! I got tired of doing all this stethoscope research and realized I'd be better served using my remaining precious winter break days for less school related things, so I caved in an ordered a stethoscope.

I went through various sites and decided to get the ADC Adscope Convertible Cardiology 🙂
http://www.amazon.com/ADSCOPE-Convertible-Cardiology-Stethoscope-Black/dp/B000NIB6IY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388380308&sr=8-1&keywords=ADC convertible cardiology

It seems to be a Cardiology III copy, but the reviews were quite good and from advice in this thread, it seems like this should be more than enough for my needs. The price was too good to pass up also.
Thanks so much again for all of your input guys. I learned a lot from this thread, and feel much better about my choice. Hopefully the ADC works out okay. I haven't tried it, so it was a bit of a risk buying it, but at this price I thought it would be worth a try.

Hopefully somewhere down the road if I really want or need, I can get a Cardiology III or something even nicer.

You would be as satisfied with this one, http://www.amazon.com/ADC-ADSCOPE-S...id=1388410363&sr=8-3&keywords=ADscope+sprague
But if you like the cardiology, go ahead.
Remember, sometimes it is all about the specimen you try, a expensive stethoscope that has any minuscule sign of air leak will be beaten by a cheapo stethoscope that is properly sealed.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

You would be as satisfied with this one, http://www.amazon.com/ADC-ADSCOPE-Sprague-Scope-Black/dp/B000WHRASG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1388410363&sr=8-3&keywords=ADscope sprague
But if you like the cardiology, go ahead.
Remember, sometimes it is all about the specimen you try, a expensive stethoscope that has any minuscule sign of air leak will be beaten by a cheapo stethoscope that is properly sealed.

Thanks, an MS2 I know also recommended this one. I'll keep this in mind, if the ADC Cardiology has issues, this might be a good alternative for the short term.

 

[Instatewaiter]

First, as mentioned, these things have been know to walk off frequently, so it may very well be an annual (not one time) expense.

For those people who are buying a scope, to prevent it from walking away you can get your name engraved for like 10 bucks or get a less common color. Black scopes are everywhere... but periwinkle blue... that could be your domain alone.

I bought a decent starter scope for a really good price when I began medical school, then went around to the former RN/EMT/Paramedic classmates that had been using all kinds of them and asked them to compare ours and tell me if I needed to 'upgrade' mine to a Littman ASAP.

Again a doctor should use a doctor scope. I can tell you that when I see a doctor with a nursing scope,I just laugh. A nursing scope around a doctor's shoulders tells me that guy has no clinical skills. He's communicating, "Well my auscultation skills are worthless so this disposable scope is all I need since a nicer scope would do me no good"

Here's some advice, skip the otoscope and the ophthalmoscope that your school makes you buy for $700 and spend an extra 50 on a decent scope. There. I just saved you $650

Hierarchy of scopes:
WA DLX > Littmann master cardiology > WA harvey elite/littmann III >> littmann classic. I'd start at the harvey elite or littmann cardiology III level. On allheart these should run you around $120. I can't speak to the knockoff scopes but some people seem to like them and the cardiology ones are probably better than the littmann IIs/classics.

I'll put it out there; if anyone on SDN has ever tuned a diaphragm for any reason in practice on a regular basis, please post why and how often.

I've yet to ever hear of someone having the need to do this or seen it done in the many, many medical environments across the country I've had the pleasure of stumbling into at 4:45AM on a regular basis.

I have. To hear low pitched sounds when I used to use a littmann master cardiology. You can't hear an S3 or mitral stenosis with just the high pitched portion of the diaphragm.

It sounds like those many, many medical environments across the country you have had the pleasure of stumbling into have been top notch. Are you the guy who keeps consulting cardiology for sinus tach?

 

[XY Nurse]

Although i'm only an RN student, I purchased a Prestige Sprague stethoscope as a suggestion from a dermatologist I know. Compared it to a friend's Littmann Classic II SE, where I found it just as good, if not better.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

Although i'm only an RN student, I purchased a Prestige Sprague stethoscope as a suggestion from a dermatologist I know. Compared it to a friend's Littmann Classic II SE, where I found it just as good, if not better.

Dermatologist giving stethoscope advice? Outside scope of practice.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Although i'm only an RN student, I purchased a Prestige Sprague stethoscope as a suggestion from a dermatologist I know. Compared it to a friend's Littmann Classic II SE, where I found it just as good, if not better.

For an inexpensive scope, it's not too bad. It's based off a great design. The HP sprague rappaport (later became phillips) is probably one of the best scopes ever made behind the leatham. The only issue is that the two tubes sometimes rub together.

Still for a medical student, probably better to go with the littmann cardiology III

 

[MerickManual]

Dermatologist giving stethoscope advice? Outside scope of practice.

🤣I was thinking the same!

Glad you figured out which steth, OP.

 

[Mad Jack]

Thanks, an MS2 I know also recommended this one. I'll keep this in mind, if the ADC Cardiology has issues, this might be a good alternative for the short term.

The two biggest annoying things about Spragues are the way the two tubes rub together while you're adjusting the scope, and the stiffness of them in general (the double lumen tends to make them annoying to have over your neck, though if you have a lab coat this isn't an issue). That ADC was my first scope, and it was alright, but it wasn't nearly as loud as my current one, which made hearing anterior BS in end stage COPD patients a pain.

Drop an update on how you feel about the ADC in a couple of years, I'm curious.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

The two biggest annoying things about Spragues are the way the two tubes rub together while you're adjusting the scope, and the stiffness of them in general (the double lumen tends to make them annoying to have over your neck, though if you have a lab coat this isn't an issue). That ADC was my first scope, and it was alright, but it wasn't nearly as loud as my current one, which made hearing anterior BS in end stage COPD patients a pain.

Drop an update on how you feel about the ADC in a couple of years, I'm curious.

Thanks Mad Jack, I'll note that about the Spragues. And good to hear you had the ADC also! Hopefully, it works okay, but if it's quiet too, I'll know to try and getting something better. Hopefully with the quietness of it, the ADC will be okay for stuff I'll be wanting to hear as a med student.

 

[Mad Jack]

Thanks Mad Jack, I'll note that about the Spragues. And good to hear you had the ADC also! Hopefully, it works okay, but if it's quiet too, I'll know to try and getting something better. Hopefully with the quietness of it, the ADC will be okay for stuff I'll be wanting to hear as a med student.

Just to clarify, I had the ADC Sprague from the link above. The cardiology is probably awesome, I doubt you'll have any problems as a med student or beyond.

 

[Law2Doc]

For those people who are buying a scope, to prevent it from walking away you can get your name engraved for like 10 bucks or get a less common color. Black scopes are everywhere... but periwinkle blue... that could be your domain alone.




Again a doctor should use a doctor scope. I can tell you that when I see a doctor with a nursing scope,I just laugh. A nursing scope around a doctor's shoulders tells me that guy has no clinical skills. He's communicating, "Well my auscultation skills are worthless so this disposable scope is all I need since a nicer scope would do me no good"

Here's some advice, skip the otoscope and the ophthalmoscope that your school makes you buy for $700 and spend an extra 50 on a decent scope. There. I just saved you $650

Hierarchy of scopes:
WA DLX > Littmann master cardiology > WA harvey elite/littmann III >> littmann classic. I'd start at the harvey elite or littmann cardiology III level. On allheart these should run you around $120. I can't speak to the knockoff scopes but some people seem to like them and the cardiology ones are probably better than the littmann IIs/classics.





I have. To hear low pitched sounds when I used to use a littmann master cardiology. You can't hear an S3 or mitral stenosis with just the high pitched portion of the diaphragm.

It sounds like those many, many medical environments across the country you have had the pleasure of stumbling into have been top notch. Are you the guy who keeps consulting cardiology for sinus tach?

Engraving is meaningless. Name plates can be removed, engraving can be scratched off. Half the scopes that walk off have someones name. It's not like anybody is going to care if the scope you are carrying has your name or someone else's. And colored scopes aren't less attractive to steal -- you are never going to see your scope in your hospital again. It's not like other doctors are stealing it.

 

[Instatewaiter]

K.

My maroon scope has never "walked away." My black littmann did. Everyone has a black scope and it's pretty easy for someone to pick yours up by accident... or perhaps it is the roaming bandits around your hospital. I have picked up scopes in the past that looked just like mine by accident only to see later it had someone's name on it. For that person, the engraving prevented one "walk away"

 

[Instatewaiter]

Also, might as well not listen to the patient if you are just going to use the disposable scopes. Toss a glove over the head of your scope and disinfect it after you're done.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

Just to clarify, I had the ADC Sprague from the link above. The cardiology is probably awesome, I doubt you'll have any problems as a med student or beyond.

Ah okay, I thought you were referring to the Cardiology haha. That's more reassuring then!
I might check out the ADC Sprague out of curiosity sometime...

 

[The Buff OP]

From my understanding a Littmann cardiology 3 will last throughout your career (or at least for a long time)… why buy a pos if you're going to end up buying a nice one anyway.. Yeah right now it probably won't make a huge difference, but once you know what you're doing it definitely will…

Edit--I'm sure the 2 would suffice throughout your career as well unless you will rely on it heavily in your specialty.

Off topic, dude your avatar picture and name are golden. LMAO!

 

[zeppelinpage4]

Just got the ADC Cardiology in the mail today, I know next to nothing about using it, but I love the feel and look. Not sure what I'm hearing, but things seem to sound clear to me...but you can take that with a grain of salt for now. 😛

Quick question though, it was like -20 degrees outside and the package sat out for several hours, the packing down to the stethoscope were freezing by the time I got home and opened it. (felt like the stethoscope was put in the freezer for a few hours) Any chance something could have been damaged? For some reason I remember someone saying don't leave it in the cold, but I could just be imagining this.

 

[BurberryDoc]

Just got the ADC Cardiology in the mail today, I know next to nothing about using it, but I love the feel and look. Not sure what I'm hearing, but things seem to sound clear to me...but you can take that with a grain of salt for now. 😛

Quick question though, it was like -20 degrees outside and the package sat out for several hours, the packing down to the stethoscope were freezing by the time I got home and opened it. (felt like the stethoscope was put in the freezer for a few hours) Any chance something could have been damaged? For some reason I remember someone saying don't leave it in the cold, but I could just be imagining this.

It is probably okay 🙂
(Think about how much time it spent in a cold cargo bay of an airplane or in the back of a delivery truck)

 

[Mad Jack]

Just got the ADC Cardiology in the mail today, I know next to nothing about using it, but I love the feel and look. Not sure what I'm hearing, but things seem to sound clear to me...but you can take that with a grain of salt for now. 😛

Quick question though, it was like -20 degrees outside and the package sat out for several hours, the packing down to the stethoscope were freezing by the time I got home and opened it. (felt like the stethoscope was put in the freezer for a few hours) Any chance something could have been damaged? For some reason I remember someone saying don't leave it in the cold, but I could just be imagining this.

The rubber on ADCs isn't as prone to tearing after being in the cold as a Sprague or Littmann, I'm sure it's fine.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

It is probably okay 🙂
(Think about how much time it spent in a cold cargo bay of an airplane or in the back of a delivery truck)

Haha quite true, I needed some common sense. 🙂

The rubber on ADCs isn't as prone to tearing after being in the cold as a Sprague or Littmann, I'm sure it's fine.

Oh I didn't know that, one more reason I'm glad I got the ADC then.

 

[JGimpel]

Just got the ADC Cardiology in the mail today, I know next to nothing about using it, but I love the feel and look. Not sure what I'm hearing, but things seem to sound clear to me...but you can take that with a grain of salt for now. 😛

Quick question though, it was like -20 degrees outside and the package sat out for several hours, the packing down to the stethoscope were freezing by the time I got home and opened it. (felt like the stethoscope was put in the freezer for a few hours) Any chance something could have been damaged? For some reason I remember someone saying don't leave it in the cold, but I could just be imagining this.

Congratulations on the ADC! Get as much time listening to murmur sounds and reading EKGs with the online tutorials listed above and on other threads and you'll be solid when it comes down to using whatever scope.

ADCs are, indeed, super durable due to the flexibility of their tubing which, by the way, doesn't cost a ton of money to replace should you ever need to.

 

[Kaustikos]

If all else fails - steal them from other med students/residents/attendings. That'll take care of the initial cost issue people are complaining about...

 

[Shjanzey]

For the past several years I get a Cardio III as a present on Christmas. I am not sure why people keep forgetting I already have more than one now. I guess I'll just save them as extras in case the first one breaks and I run out of extra pieces...or maybe I should rotate them based on the day of the week. Color coordinate with scrubs or something.

 

[JGimpel]

For the past several years I get a Cardio III as a present on Christmas. I am not sure why people keep forgetting I already have more than one now. I guess I'll just save them as extras in case the first one breaks and I run out of extra pieces...or maybe I should rotate them based on the day of the week. Color coordinate with scrubs or something.

I totally think you've missed a prime opportunity to have one hanging from your rear-view mirror. That plus an alpha-pager=instant status.

 

[Mad Jack]

For the past several years I get a Cardio III as a present on Christmas. I am not sure why people keep forgetting I already have more than one now. I guess I'll just save them as extras in case the first one breaks and I run out of extra pieces...or maybe I should rotate them based on the day of the week. Color coordinate with scrubs or something.

I'm just imagining some med student opening a box with a Cardiology III, then looking disappointed as they toss it into a pile of dusty cardio IIIs.

 

[Command]

Should I go for the engraving? Are stethoscopes stolen/lost often?

 

[cbrons]

When will portable ultrasound replace this old and shoddy technology?

 

[PL198]

lol that one scope where you plug headphones into and they have beats as the headphones. like come on you're trying to sell an electronic scope that you plug headphones into, so I'm already not going to take you very serious, then you put beat headphones on it? If a physician actually used that on a patient, I'd feel horrible for the patient. I could understand if the device was good as they were using audio technica or better cans but beats? no doctor that gave a **** about their patients would use phones that sound that bad with such a device.

 

[Ismet]

Should I go for the engraving? Are stethoscopes stolen/lost often?

If you get a black one, it's very easy for someone to accidentally (or intentionally) pick yours up. If you're prone to lose things, then you'll probably lose your scope.

Or you can get a pink one like mine and get mistaken for a nurse, but no one steals it! 😀

 

[Packman2003]

Some people on here have said that students don't need a decent stethescope because they aren't expected to be able to hear soft murmurs. The problem with this is that when you are expected to, you have no practice listening to them because you had your POS plastic sprague for all your life. Just get a damn cardiology grade stethescope. A Cardiology III is just fine and they really aren't that much. I had one when I was a medic and used that for a while before I got a WA DLX. Even between those there was quite a noticeable difference - and I have to disagree that the DLX isn't as loud, but it is also much more clear. I used a nurses Classic the other day to listen to a murmur that a doc asked me about and I had to go to the other room to grab mine because it was **** in comparison. Just my 2 cents

 

[DermViser]

If you get a black one, it's very easy for someone to accidentally (or intentionally) pick yours up. If you're prone to lose things, then you'll probably lose your scope.

Or you can get a pink one like mine and get mistaken for a nurse, but no one steals it! 😀

Yes, they come in so many colors:

Just get a name tag:

 

[Kahreek]

Some people on here have said that students don't need a decent stethescope because they aren't expected to be able to hear soft murmurs. The problem with this is that when you are expected to, you have no practice listening to them because you had your POS plastic sprague for all your life. Just get a damn cardiology grade stethescope. A Cardiology III is just fine and they really aren't that much. I had one when I was a medic and used that for a while before I got a WA DLX. Even between those there was quite a noticeable difference - and I have to disagree that the DLX isn't as loud, but it is also much more clear. I used a nurses Classic the other day to listen to a murmur that a doc asked me about and I had to go to the other room to grab mine because it was **** in comparison. Just my 2 cents

myth is myth, any clinical grade stethoscope will do the job 90% of the time, if it doesnt you better send your pt to a ecocardiogram
The best thing any student can do when they get any stethoscope is buy a learning cd. it is easier when you know what to look for.

 

[Jabbed]

Incidentally, Amazon has Littmann steths (cards III and classic II SE) on sale. Doesn't get cheaper than $129 for a cards III..

Coupon page: http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=5545608011

 

[MU420]

If you really want a cheap one but which is built well and works buy this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jazooli-Med...F8&qid=1411994006&sr=1-1&keywords=Stethoscope

I promise you won't regret it. Yes it is only 1.99GBP but the materials which they use to make these cost next to nothing. All the other complained are making serious profit from selling at anything over 20GBP +. Also it says dual head but it is only a signal head.

Thanks

Please stop spamming your product on every single stethoscope stread that exists on SDN.