How a stethoscope can get stolen?

[osi2011]

Hi all!

I came across a few posts regarding stolen stethoscopes and was wondering how can that occur if our stethoscope is supposed to be on our necks?

Are there any tips for new nurses about to start clinicals that one could take to ensure that nothing valuable such as a stethoscope get stolen?

[exp626]

My stethoscope is always either in my pocket or my bag, I don't like to wear it around my neck. No one borrows my stethoscope. No one. I don't care if it offends anyone, having my scope in someone else's ears is so gross I may as well give it to them.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

My stethoscope is always either in my pocket or my bag, I don't like to wear it around my neck. No one borrows my stethoscope. No one. I don't care if it offends anyone, having my scope in someone else's ears is so gross I may as well give it to them.

Love my cargo pants for the sole benefit of keeping my stethoscope in a pocket...and less people want to borrow it as well.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I have a "sweater" on my stethoscope so my neck oils won't mess it up and I can wear it around my neck at all times. I really only take it off for bathing patients, getting them on/off the bedpan, or codes. Otherwise, it doesn't come off my neck ever!

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Often when going into an isolation room you will remove it from your neck (if thats where you keep it) or from a pocket in case it gets snagged on something and pulled out.

Actually the worst place to keep it is around your neck..as the other poster said, the oils from your skin and hair ruin the tubing. As well, that scope can be used against you (I have had this happen). Even worse...a patient (or visitor for that matter) can grab both ends and choke you with it. Happened to me while I was working as an EMT, the drunk and high patient reached up from the stretcher and grabbed the scope and began to use it to basically strangle me with it. Thank the heavens I wasn't alone in the back and my partner was able to free me. My paramedic partner taught me to just sling it on my shoulder when not in use because if the patient tries to grab it, it will easily slide off the shoulder and the person can't easily choke you with it.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Pants pockets are wonders

I use a Batclip holster to hold my 'ears.' They're held securely in place on my waist until I need them. I do not set them down anywhere. I will let others use them but only those that I know.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Often when going into an isolation room you will remove it from your neck (if thats where you keep it) or from a pocket in case it gets snagged on something and pulled out.

If you place the ears in the pocket first, they're less likely to get snagged, and pulled out, at least in my experience...it's all about the technique...

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

If you place the ears in the pocket first, they're less likely to get snagged, and pulled out, at least in my experience...it's all about the technique...

Never thought about doing it ears first.

[mimigins]

The website allheart.com allows you to select an engraving when you're ordering, which is pretty cool! That's what I did with mine.

[auralae]

Isolation rooms. You have to leave it hanging outside- you usually won't have time to go put it away somewhere else!

[bellini]

I had my initials engraved onto the back of the chest piece and my stethoscope STILL got stolen.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Mine is engraved and I guess someone can still take it, but I have a a colleague with the exact same stethoscope as mine repeated ly try to convince everyone that I stole hers. I show her my engraved name everytime. It actually has become kind of a joke between us.