How a stethoscope can get stolen?

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 11, 2014

If you leave the stethoscope out on a mobile workstation or at a desk... or on something for you to pick it up later, it can grow feet that way.

osi2011 · Jul 11, 2014

thanks for the reply! I will definitely make a note of this to avoid doing

RunBabyRN · Jul 11, 2014

Yeah, that's usually the case, or if you leave it in a bag or locker that's not secured. It's smart to write your name on it in Sharpie just in case.

christina731 · Jul 11, 2014

I wouldn't keep it around your neck. It can potentially fall off into someplace gross (like a toilet) or a patient can potentially use it as a weapon (worst case scenario but something to keep in mind). It can also mess up the tubing because of the oils on your skin. Make it a habit to keep it either in your ears or in your pocket and it won't go anywhere it's not supposed to. You generally only use it a few times a day for a few minutes so you're not going to need it readily available at a moment's notice.

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jul 11, 2014

Let me tell you, it can happen. It isn't always around your neck. One day you will have to clean up a patient in the ICU that had a 2-Liter rectal explosion with a lower gastrointestinal bleed. Of course you wouldn't want to drop or drag it through the "explosion" so you take it off and forget it on the window sill in the patient's room. It is the end of your shift and forget it because it was one of those days...... It can happen. I did go back and found it, but I was worried.

notnursezelda · Jul 11, 2014

saw this:

If you really want to prevent your stethoscope from being boosted, do this:

Unscrew the ring holding the diaphragm in place and take it out.

On the INSIDE surface of the diaphragm, write your name backwards (sbrawkcad) in magic marker, mirror image, so when you reassemble it the name is legible.

Since it's inside the diaphragm, it won't wear off, won't scrub off with alcowipes when you clean it, and will be very large and visible if anyone else uses it.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jul 11, 2014

I've only lost mine once, and it was because I let a doctor use it and he took off to the next hospital without giving it back. I did get it back eventually, though.

christina731 · Jul 11, 2014

I've only lost mine once, and it was because I let a doctor use it and he took off to the next hospital without giving it back. I did get it back eventually, though.

One time I lent my steth to a doc and I stood there outside the patients room for 10 minutes waiting for him to come out and he was shocked to see me waiting there. I think he thought he could get away with swiping my steth because he came out with it wrapped up inside his pants pocket. Now I will never lend it out again to another doc. I was lucky enough not to have anything going on during those 10 minutes but if I wasn't there waiting for him I'm sure it would have been gone.

osi2011 · Jul 11, 2014

I believe I will do the diaphragm method. I just purchased a littman lite so my diaphragm is not connected by a screw therefore I must figure out another way to dissemble it and write on the inside. Thanks guys!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 12, 2014

There are those folks (usually with an "MD" after their names) who will, without asking, pluck your stethoscope off your neck and use it -- and often "forget" to return it. If you lay it down somewhere, it can wander off. My stethoscope is either in my ears or in my bag. As soon as I'm done with my assessment, it goes into my bag until the next assessment is due.

amoLucia · Jul 12, 2014

Also be aware that not only do the Docs wander off with scopes, but other nsg staff (resp is pretty good) will do so also.

So will visitors, families and even pts. They seem to think they can take it like a souvenir (like the bathroom towels). And be esp careful around Halloween - high time for 'borrowing' for costume times needs.

Select some vibrant neon color and engrave it.