Stethoscope Repair?

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

OK, I admit it. I get attached to objects. I've had my Littman Master Cardio stethoscope for over 5 years and I still love it. However the tubing has severely cracked. Is there a patch for it or should I just chuck it and get me a new one?

[hypnotic_nurse]

Don't they sell replacement tubing?

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Never thought of that, but thanks for the suggestion!

[bobnurse]

they do sell replacement tubing. I believe the warranty is for 5 years. It used to be lifetime, Ive sent two in for repair (free). The same reason as yours, wearing the stethescope around your neck pulls out the oils out of the tubing making it hard like a rock, then eventually cracking. A good resolve to preventing that is once a week take some armor all (the car stuff) and rubbing it into your stethescope. Its like putting lotion on your skin. It will drastically increase the life of your stethescope.

And also, although your stethescope has a warranty of 5 years (i think its 5), if you send it in, ive seen where they have fixed it for free and returned it. They just put a new tubing on.

[nowplayingEDRN]

they do sell replacement tubing. I believe the warranty is for 5 years. It used to be lifetime, Ive sent two in for repair (free). The same reason as yours, wearing the stethescope around your neck pulls out the oils out of the tubing making it hard like a rock, then eventually cracking. A good resolve to preventing that is once a week take some armor all (the car stuff) and rubbing it into your stethescope. Its like putting lotion on your skin. It will drastically increase the life of your stethescope.

And also, although your stethescope has a warranty of 5 years (i think its 5), if you send it in, ive seen where they have fixed it for free and returned it. They just put a new tubing on.

If your stethescope falls out side of the warranty period, you can still get the stethescope repaired. The refer to it as refurbishing in which they will clean the bell, check the membranes on it, replace the tubing and other worn parts for a fee of something like 70-75 bucks, which is still by far cheaper than purchasing a new high quality littman....and your old friend is as good as new Go to 3M'S website for more details: http://www.mmm.com/litman or call them at: [phone]

Christie

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Thank you all! Yes, my 'scope IS like an old friend, but more than that, it was a gift from my mother.

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

When my stethescope developed atherosclerosis (hardening of the tubing) I made another one from a combination of several parts of my old Littman's- kinda like my very own Frankenstein!!! Works great!!

[bobnurse]

If your stethescope falls out side of the warranty period, you can still get the stethescope repaired. The refer to it as refurbishing in which they will clean the bell, check the membranes on it, replace the tubing and other worn parts for a fee of something like 70-75 bucks, which is still by far cheaper than purchasing a new high quality littman....and your old friend is as good as new Go to 3M'S website for more details: http://www.mmm.com/litman or call them at: [phone]

Christie

Yeah, but we have had nurses just send theirs in asking for repair and 3M has done it for free.....

[nowplayingEDRN]

Yeah, but we have had nurses just send theirs in asking for repair and 3M has done it for free.....

I had heard that; however, it was my understanding that they are now asking for proof of date of purchase.

Angie O'Plasty: Always hard to ditch a gift from mom, especially when it has served you so well in your profession.

Krisco, I work with a woman that repaired hers with a piece of suction tubing....works pretty darned good, too!! :chuckle