Choosing a Stethoscope??NICU???

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2003

There aren't that many to choose from, unfortunately- I've only found three reliable brands (DRG, Ultrascope, and Littmann) that make neonatal stethoscopes of any quality.

I opted for a high-quality neonatal stethoscope as opposed to a pedi one; the diaphragm is smaller (usually about 1/2 of an inch) and even then is sometimes too large for the ELBW infants. However, you can always use your neonatal steth on larger kids- but you can't always use the larger pedi diaphragm on the preemies. To hear what you need to hear, the diaphragm/bell has to fit snugly against the skin and form a seal. A larger steth will hang off the sides and be harder to "mold" to the chest or area you're attempting to auscultate.

Perhaps someone else knows if there are any with exchangeable heads? This would solve the problem, but I don't know of any brands that offer this.

What I really wish is that Littmann would take the same technology they used to create their Cardiology scopes and apply it to their neonatal scopes! The sound rating on the infant scopes is similar to the Master Classic, and I'd love to find a higher-quality infant scope but there just aren't any available.

prmenrs, RN · Sep 11, 2003

I used to get a stethoscope that cost

Recently, I got a Littman--I don't think it's that much better, but I like it.

If you can find a cheap one, by all means, get it. You can always "upgrade".

NICU_Nurse, why don't you write/call them and tell them. You never know, they might listen!

tinkerbelle · Sep 11, 2003

Maybe LIttmann or one of the other companies might listen to you if you call/write to them and design exchangeable heads with precision acoustics. Who knows you could become a millionaire by sending in your ideas.

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2003

I like that Littmann has a warranty with their scopes, and as it was the first neonatal scope I bought, I had nothing (and still do) to compare it to. However, I'd owned a Littmann Master Classic, and both are rated a 7, I think, as opposed to the Cardiology scopes which are 9-10+.

My neonatal scope is no better than the Master Classic, and I find that it's not hot for picking up fine crackles or anything that isn't fairly audible. I'd get an electronic scope (sheesh...maybe I'm going deaf!) if they didn't cost your everlasting soul and child's left kidney. However, they don't make THOSE in neonatal size, either. Someone needs to get to crackin' on this one. I guess there's no money in it (not enough neonatal nurses? not enough NICU's?)

Thanks for the suggestion; I will write them a letter. :)

I do know that if cost is your concern, you can find a number of acceptable scopes under 40 bucks by doing a google search for "neonatal stethoscope."

Considering I know nothing about precision acoustics, my chances of fortune are slim to none. However, just to prove your point, my mom knows the nurse who designed the Tucker sling, which is one of the most ingenious and simple neonatal-relevant products out there and she's going to make a fortune in the long run on that baby. In fact, the entire ChildMed company was formed on products that SHOULD have been a given but weren't. Hmm...maybe I should reconsider this...lol!

I'd like to meet whoever designed Freddy the Frog. I'd like to meet them and learn how much they got paid to design a bean bag. (Which, btw, is another of my favorite products...preemies sure do sleep well when they're practically smothered like a drop biscuit in gravy, don't they?)

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2003

Originally posted by NICU_Nurse
I'd like to meet whoever designed Freddy the Frog. I'd like to meet them and learn how much they got paid to design a bean bag. (Which, btw, is another of my favorite products...preemies sure do sleep well when they're practically smothered like a drop biscuit in gravy, don't they?)

Drop bisciut in gravy??!!!:roll Girl, you are so Southern!!!!

SheaTabRN · Sep 11, 2003

NICU_NURSE....

We don't use Freddie Frogs... can you tell me about them?

Also... I couldn't agree with you more about the fact that Littman should make a cardiology stethoscope for neonates. I loved mine through nursing school and unfortunately, the pedi head is too big for the babies. I have a bit of a hearing problem... and really do need the better acoustics. Let us know what you find out.

Tab

prmenrs, RN · Sep 11, 2003

Well, that DOES give me an idea--Let's give Children's Medical Venture a shout--THEY might be able to get Littman to work on a NICU scope!! A lot of their ideas come from nurses, too.

Biscuit in gravy! Well, actually, you're right--they do like that sort of thing! And they'll give you a heart attack, just like the biscuit in gravy, too. :eek:

prmenrs, RN · Sep 11, 2003

OOO, Kay, just had a thought--go to the UCSD bookstore, downstairs--that's where I used to be the cheap, I mean, reasonably priced scopes. They come in a lot of colors, too. And try not to spend too much money in that place! It's worse than Costco.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2003

Frederick T. Frog

I like to use two, and then get in trouble for hogging them!

prmenrs, RN · Sep 11, 2003

Thank you, dawn!

nurseiam · Sep 12, 2003

In our unit each baby has its own stethescope!