Doctor stole my stethoscope

[ayejay09]

So, this week hasn't been fun. My lovely Litmann that I received as a Christmas gift has been stolen by a doctor. I've even gone so far as to post fliers around the unit. I know that many nurses have their stethoscope stolen. My thought is "If doctors are stealing our stethoscopes, why are the facilities not paying us for those EXPENSIVE things?" Take it out of their paychecks. Every stethoscope stolen results in money taken from their paychecks. Or make them pool money together to supply us stethoscopes.

Needless to say, I miss my stethoscope. Who else has these problems? How do you track your stethoscope down?

[Nurse2Bella]

What??!! If you are sure it was stolen and not accidently taken home then oh no, no - NOT ok! If a Dr. Needs to borrow my stethoscope on the spot real quick, thats alright... But otherwise I always have it around my neck as well as my first initial and my last name engraved on the bell. However, if this issue is not resolved within a few days I would definitely go talk to the housing supervisor. Say what you said here, that you got it as a gift and it has sentimental value - dont forget the ACTUALLY cost value! I would also address that having something (anything) stolen from you at the hospital by staff is very unsettling. Have a great and humble approach, it should get you far. I honestly feel like they should possibly even replace it... But you will at least be taken seriously. Best wishes!

[sharonx]

Mine never leaves my neck! That way when someone burrows it, they must ask for it and I chase them down for it if needed:yes:

[nancynurse12, BSN, RN]

I had a gold plated stethoscope and a doctor also took it. My problem was that it was not engraved.

[chrisclark1127]

Put a tile on it then you can track it down .

Tile - Never Lose Your Keys, Wallet Or Anything Again

[nc2bc]

I work in a community health centre and mine disappeared for about a year. Then one day it appeared out of the blue again. Just wonder where it went for that whole year, cause I looked high and low when it first disappeared.

[feelix, RN]

Embroider or paint a tube saying: "I have ear infection." around the stethoscope and put it on the tube. Doctors are notorious for asking for your stethoscope while examining a patient. I don't want to share mine and make a face every time they do.

Hospitals should have 'No Stethoscope Sharing' policies, just like your teacher had.

[Ele_123]

A couple days ago I was working nightshift and the nurse I was getting report from told me she had a doctor come up and tell her that over the weekend she realized she had taken the nurse's stethoscope home and wanted to return it and apologized. The problem was it wasn't that nurse's stethoscope and we hadn't seen anyone with it before. It might have even been from someone at a different hospital. It was really nice for the doctor to do that especially since it was, I think, a Littman master cardiology.

[Garden,RN, ASN, RN]

I hope by now you found your stethoscope and suspect by the numerous answers, you will never, ever lose one again!

[HHardyRN]

Engrave it! Our residents "borrow" our stethoscopes all the time. I don't think they mean to take them... but they do. I always keep mine on until I put it in my locker when I leave. When ours go missing we just order a disposable one from Central Services. They surprisingly work pretty good! Lol

[shybb]

That's unfortunate. I have learned over the years that doctors are definitely not beyond reproach. Although, some would like to believe otherwise. Like one writer said, if you're not using it lock it up or keep it on your person. Things do have a tendency to grow legs and walk away. Good rule of thumb, never loan your stethoscope out to anyone, not even doctors. If they drop it and break it I can guarantee they won't replace it. If you know you will round with a doctor make sure to have a disposable one ready to hand to the doctor.

[medic981, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I misplaced my Littmann Cardiology II many years ago as a paramedic. I received my stethoscope as a graduation gift from my mother who was an RN. She knew me well enough to have my name and SSN engraved on it (this was before identity theft was a mainstream problem). I had to use the stethoscope on the ambulance supplied by the company. Several weeks later, I was transferring a patient to the ICU and thought I saw a Littmann Cardiology II stethoscope hanging with other stethoscopes behind the nurse's station. I remember thinking it odd that a high dollar stethoscope was hanging there. After taking a closer look I discovered that it was mine.

I believe that for the most part, medical professionals are honest individuals. If I had better identification, on my stethoscope, to begin with I am sure that the staff would have gotten in contact with me to return it.

[LYNGRL65]

You need to keep your stethoscope on your person. Also anyone doctor, coworker, patient etc could have picked it up. Be careful not to accuse without proof. Having your full name engraved on the bell helps. 3M (Owns Littmann) can track your stethoscope by the identification number on the bell if you sent in the registration card when you got it and if its ever sent in for maintenance or repair..