Stethoscope and Length

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Kluver_Bucy

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What is the best length to get for a Littman Cardiology 3? Some of the stores sell only 22inches and 27 inches. Does 5 inches make a difference? What are pros and cons of 5 more inches of tubing.
 
Kluver_Bucy said:
What is the best length to get for a Littman Cardiology 3? Some of the stores sell only 22inches and 27 inches. Does 5 inches make a difference? What are pros and cons of 5 more inches of tubing.

the docs i've shadowed said to get the 27 in. with the 22 inch i guess you're right up in the patients face.
 
From my 12yr experiience as a respiratory therapist (listening to breath sounds etc.) believe me when I tell you that "longer" is better. You don't have to be so close to the funk... Also you don't have to lean way over...smelling breath....trach smell, BO, filled adult diapers, colostomy bags.....yuch..the further away the better
 
I have the shorter one (it was given to me as a gift). I plan on getting the longer one after a year now.
 
Termwean said:
From my 12yr experiience as a respiratory therapist (listening to breath sounds etc.) believe me when I tell you that "longer" is better. You don't have to be so close to the funk... Also you don't have to lean way over...smelling breath....trach smell, BO, filled adult diapers, colostomy bags.....yuch..the further away the better

words of wisdom, thanks. 👍
 
Termwean said:
From my 12yr experiience as a respiratory therapist (listening to breath sounds etc.) believe me when I tell you that "longer" is better. You don't have to be so close to the funk... Also you don't have to lean way over...smelling breath....trach smell, BO, filled adult diapers, colostomy bags.....yuch..the further away the better

I had a shorter one & decided to buy a longer one precisely because of what you said. There are just some patients that I'd rather be a few more inches away from. Nothing personal, but I'm not big on the smells.
 
If you talk to my medicine chair from med school he would swear by a shorter tube for greater fidelity. If you read the Littmann website they say that there is no difference in fidelity between the two lengths.

I'm 6'6" and the longer tube lets me sit or stand more comfortably when auscultating. Don't underestimate the power of a happy lower back.
 
Try snaking the short one around all the obstacles between you and the patient in a code after intubating, and you will wish you had the long one.
 
Does anyone know if it is possible to send in the short one and just get the longer tube attached? I'd like to keep the bell portion as it was a gift and has my name engraved on it.

Note: the reason my wife got me the shorter one is: when she asked my dad (a physician) for a recommendation he said that you can hear better. I can't really notice a difference.
 
It's not the length of your stethoscope that matters; It's how you auscultate it. So don't worry, it's a good size.
 
Yeah but I think the main focus of the discussion is how a longer stethoscope=further away from the pt=more "personal space"....

Supadupafly said:
It's not the length of your stethoscope that matters; It's how you auscultate it. So don't worry, it's a good size.
 
nabeya said:
Yeah but I think the main focus of the discussion is how a longer stethoscope=further away from the pt=more "personal space"....

Aparently you like a long one (stethoscope)?
 
Well u know what they say about a man and his stethscope 😀
 
A woman with tuberculosis coughed in my face once while I was listening to her lungs. Longer is better.
 
The 27 does not look as long as it sounds. I just got mine and it looks like pretty much any other stethoscope.
 
raidermedic said:
The 27 does not look as long as it sounds. I just got mine and it looks like pretty much any other stethoscope.

Guess it's a "grower" not a "show-er".
 
DrMom said:
I had a shorter one & decided to buy a longer one precisely because of what you said. There are just some patients that I'd rather be a few more inches away from. Nothing personal, but I'm not big on the smells.

Same here. Whatever you're told about the shorted ones, let the pulmonologists have their fun with 'em. Get the longer one, it will save you the money of not having to buy it later on.

Although I kind of like having the shorter one as a backup now, in case I use my longer one to strangle the next patient who aims their deep breath right at my face as I'm listening to their lungs.
 
As I walk through the wards this summer with my 22" Tycos Elite, I feel almost inadequate for having a short one. It may be the bell, but I can tell a great difference between mine and the 27"ers that I've used in office settings.

I do agree though, it's not the size that matters, it's how you ascultate.
 
LevatorAni said:
As I walk through the wards this summer with my 22" Tycos Elite, I feel almost inadequate for having a short one. It may be the bell, but I can tell a great difference between mine and the 27"ers that I've used in office settings.

I do agree though, it's not the size that matters, it's how you ascultate.

You sir, are "the most important muscle in the pelvic diaphragm, and very important in maintaining fecal continence."

I commend you.
 
Supadupafly said:
You sir, are "the most important muscle in the pelvic diaphragm, and very important in maintaining fecal continence."

I commend you.


Let us not forget to give a shout out to my esteemed colleague, puborectalis, without whom we would not be able to "pinch a loaf".

Thanks for the props. 👍
 
From my experiences as an EMT alone, I wish they made a 48 inch model
 
THP said:
Does anyone know if it is possible to send in the short one and just get the longer tube attached? I'd like to keep the bell portion as it was a gift and has my name engraved on it.

Note: the reason my wife got me the shorter one is: when she asked my dad (a physician) for a recommendation he said that you can hear better. I can't really notice a difference.

Bump. I also got the shorter one as a gift from my mentor. I want to keep the bell because mine, too, is engraved with my name. ANyone know if one can send it back and get a longer tube (even if I have to pay some $$)?
 
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