$500.00 Welch-Allen otoscope and opt.....do I really need these ?

medsurgnurse, RN · Jan 21, 2007

I started Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning today...very excited to learn more about assessment. However, we had a 30 minute visit by the Welch-Allen reps to highlight their otoscopes,etc. Our school, of course, lets us check them out for a week at a time but they are highly encouraging us to buy these sets.
Will I really use it ? Almost every practice or clinical site is going to have them on site.
If I really need one, will a less expensive model do ?

There are plenty of less expensive models on ebay, brand new.

carachel2 · Jan 21, 2007

There are plenty of less expensive models on ebay, brand new.

I see there are a lot, but which ones are really good and high quality ? Any tips would be appreciated.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 21, 2007

While Welch-Allen does set the standard, I think you could probably do ok in almost any setting just using the ones there. That said, I work in chronic hemodialysis and in my units there are NO otoscopes, ophthalmoloscopes, tongue depressors, nothing. However, what I did find were 200 disposable lady partsl speculums. I'm new to dialysis and had no clue why I had so many!!! I don't even need one!!!

lilboboxox · Apr 25, 2007

heeheh, you must be coming to upenn since they made me buy one for $500 and i only had to use it in lab :)

depending on what program you're in, you might or might not need to invest in one of these. if you're in acute care, you'll probably never have to use it again. but in primary care, it's essential. i don't even bring mine to my clinicals (too expensive to lose or break), they provide them at the site.

doesn't hurt to invest in one though. don't settle for less expensive brands. good equipment is worth the money. :)

$500.00 Welch-Allen otoscope and opt.....do I *really* need these ?

$500.00 Welch-Allen otoscope and opt.....do I really need these ?