EMTs/Nurses/Doctors- Stethoscopes

Calling all EMT's/Paramedics, Nurses, Doctors...

Let's talk stethoscopes.

What do you use, what have you used, which do your prefer?

I have a basic Littmann Classic II, but am thinking of getting a Littmann 3200 Electronic. An ER nurse at our hospital has one and I just gave it a little test. HOLY EFF! Talk about amazing. Would be so nice to actually be able to auscultate a BP in the back of an ambulance bouncing down a road!

Anyone?

 

Those things are crap. The automatic BP cuff, pulse ox etc things on a stick? Yeah, I don't like em....
The electronic steths are pretty expensive, but when you're wanting to auscultate someones lungs, and they're obese and you can't hear.... you want to kick yourself in the ass. I would kill to have an electronic steth to hear those breath sounds.

 

I use a Littmann Master Cardiology black on black!

 

I've got a littmann classic II. I really like it but one my buddies just got a littmann cardiology and it blew mine out of the water. I've never used an electric but I work in critical care and it's normally pretty quiet. I'm happy with my classic II but tempted to get a cardiology one day.

 

I'm trying to decide, cardiology or electronic. The only downside to the electronic is working with pediatrics. The bell is so dang big. I guess you'll still hear what you need to hear, but could you imagine taking a BP on a 6 month old with a bell the size of a door knob?

 

I use a Littmann Classic II. I have heard that UltraScope makes a good one that I would be able to use in the chopper.

 

Flight Paramedic or Nurse? Man I wanna get into that sooo bad. So much schooling though

I'm thinking of upgrading and throwing my Classic II into my personal kit. Any idea which UltraScope? I thought UltraScopes were very basic entry level ones?

 

Littmann classic II. Pramedic. Works fine for me.

For the most part I just palpate BP's while going down the road. I'll auscultate before or after transport.

 

Littman Cardiology II I like it. does its job when I need it.

 

had a couple littmans in my day. Classic II, the soft plastic one (whatever it's called ) and was given a cardiology II, so I guess I will stick with that. Works fine for me.

 

i'm a respiratory therapist. work on the floors and in the units. i use the classic II. trust me, if you're trying to auscultate a fat person you probably wont be able to hear much anyways!

 

I use a Prestige Medical and my hearing aid.

 

Work in ER. Don't need stethoscope because they're all full of s! And have nothing wrong with them and the ones that are truly sick you can hear from a mile away! Actually I use the classic II which I've had for years and got for a give from some friends works great.

 

Littman Master Cardiologist III. FTW.

I also have tried to get in the habit of getting Baseline Lungsounds and BP Auscultated onscene, or in their house, before driving because its so frickin loud, you can waste a lot of time trying to ausculate BP on the road. thats where the NIBP on the LP12 earns its money. just press the button. or palp a BP. but you have to have that initial manual BP to make sure the NIBP isn't totally out of whack.

Like my one of my buddies said "that thing is so sensitive You can hear frogs farting in china!!!"

Edit:
this website
http://www.allheart.com/littmann2159.html

Has pretty good deals, but I definitely did not pay what they're asking. I must have gotten a group rate during P-school. I gotta say $ 190.00 is frickin Expensive!! IDK if I would pay that again.

We need the ' i dont make a doctors salary, but I still need really good ears' EMS model. for under $100

 

Hey man I resemble that remark.

 

Something I read somewhere:

80% (!) of EMS stethoscopes have MRSA on them. (!!!)
one more reason to carry your own,and nuke 'em with cavicide after every call. and wipe down the truck. and burn your clothes. Etc...

 

I used a Littmann Master Cardiology when I was still in the field...

Works great (way better than my classic II). Don't get an electronic for field use, they only help you hear the road noise better

 

Started off with a Sprague POS. Then went to the Littman Master Classic II while working EMS. Pretty good overall. It helps to keep the patient's arm on your leg if you're on the bench seat, really cuts down on the road noise being transmitted via the gurney.

Now I have the Master Cardiology III, working as a physician. Honestly, I can't say there's much difference for me. If the MC-3 hadn't been given to me, I would have been happy with my MC-2.

I also like the Welch Allyn stethoscopes. I played with them when the reps were out - seemed (for me) better sensitivity, but also a bit more fragile, and I didn't think you could find parts as easily as for the Littman line.

As for peds, my wife is a pediatrician. She does OK with the Master Cardiology 2 (the one with dual bells) and just flipping it over when she's in the NICU. If you're pure NICU, Littman makes a dedicated small scope.

JEMS had an article a few years ago about how contaminated stethoscopes are (for the patient). Really, they should be wiped down with every patient.

 

im an ER nurse, i had a Littman card II black on black and it was nice but the rubber got f'd up from the oils on my neck, so it cracked and broke after about 7 years. i just use a $20 one now and its fine. i need to head lung, heart and bowel sounds and verify tube placements. i highly doubt that i will ever spend $100+ again, just not worth it IMO. if you are a Dr or RT then maybe, but 99% nurses just dont need them. i have used them in ambulances and choppers and i can hear just fine, especially BP's, sometimes lung or heart sounds can be tough when its really loud, if i really couldnt get a BP i would just palpate it. IMO save your money

 

You do realize you'd actually used that stethoscope through the warranty period, right? Ie, it lasted "long enough."

Besides, rubber and body oils ALWAYS don't mix well.

I'm curious if your cheap stethoscope gets replaced, and if so, if the cheapies add up to the approx $150 that you spent once in 7 years