Stethescope question?

Specialties NICU

Published

Specializes in NICU.

I was just hired into the NICU as a student nurse. I am getting ready to purchase a new stethescope. I was hoping that I could get some suggestions on what type/brand of stethescope would be good for this area.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, CVICU.
I was just hired into the NICU as a student nurse. I am getting ready to purchase a new stethescope. I was hoping that I could get some suggestions on what type/brand of stethescope would be good for this area.

Thanks!

Check with your unit before you spend $$ on a new stethoscope. In our NICU each baby has his own stethoscope at the bedside that all caregivers (nurses, respiratory techs, doctors) share.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I was just hired into the NICU as a student nurse. I am getting ready to purchase a new stethescope. I was hoping that I could get some suggestions on what type/brand of stethescope would be good for this area.

Thanks!

Is there a good stethoscope to get if you have a slight hearing deficit?

Kris

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
Is there a good stethoscope to get if you have a slight hearing deficit?

I've heard that Ultrascopes are good for slight hearing problems. I own two myself, but that was mainly because they look so cool!!! I know, shallow. I do know that I can easily hear someone's heartbeat through a winter coat with this thing.

They make scopes in neonatal, pediatric, and adult sizes. I have a pediatric one, since the neonatal one is really for babies less than 1 kg.

http://www.ultrascopes.com

(p.s. For anyone who's interested in ordering an Ultrascope, email the company and ask for a catalog - they have two or three times as many designs as they show on their website.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

All the NICUs where I am also have assigned stethescopes for beds/babies, you don't use your own.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Thank you for all of your replies.

I found out on my first day that I will need to purchase a stethescope. They do not have one for each of their babies. Only babies who are on isolation precautions and then they use a disposable.

I've heard that Ultrascopes are good for slight hearing problems. I own two myself, but that was mainly because they look so cool!!! I know, shallow. I do know that I can easily hear someone's heartbeat through a winter coat with this thing.
How does the whole diaphragm/bell thing work out for you? I wanted to get an Ultrascope but I was a bit leary beacause of that.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

http://www.hopkinsmedicalproducts.com/product.jsp?path=-1|4260|6857&id=4973

This is an inexpensive stethescope that served me well for many years in a level III NICU.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I use a Littmann neonatal stethoscope. If you decide to buy one, do a search online and compare prices... some sites will charge >$100 and some will charge around $70 for the same stethoscope.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Got to tell you-I've had the cheap and the expensive and I always heard better out of the cheaper one. Could you try borrowing different scopes form current staff nurses and see which one works best for you before you spend any money? They probably won't mind as long as you clean the earpieces with alcohol before you return it. :)

We now have bedside scopes--yep they're the good Littmann ones. One more new thing to get used to! :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment