Pediatric Stethoscopes

Hi everyone~

I am going to be starting in a Pediatric ED in two weeks and I wanted to get some suggestions on what kind of stethoscope would be a good choice. Obviously the patients are between 0 and 18 years old so I wasn't sure if I should get a strickly pediatric one or if anyone makes one for both children and big kids.

Also, if anyone has any suggestions for downloads for my PDA that would be helpful or books that I should read please post that as well..thanks!

The Littmann Cardio III has both pedi and adult diaphragm heads but I find it to be too heavy/ bulky for me.

I use a pedi scope (ADC very similar to Littmann, but was a little cheaper) and I find it works well on all ages. I'm not comfortable using an adult scope on an infant because often the large, flat diaphragm is not fully in contact with the curves on the chest wall and tends to overlap more than one auscultation field. On the big kid or even adult end of things I've never had a problem using the small diaphagm to assess larger pts- still hear everything I expect to hear, in fact it works especially well for taking a bp on an obese teen or adult. And it's light to carry!

Just my little opinion!

I haven't used my PDA in a few years...can't figure out how to get it running anymore?? But I used to have a few programs I liked.

Epocrates has peds info but doesn't always match Harriet and our dosing was always done by Harriet, I liked it anyway because there wasa "notes" section which is where I entered the Harriet dose and often a dose chart to quickly verify safe range.

Pediatric Database- I had to google that to make sure that was the name and found many hits for free downloads- has information on a wide range of common illnesses and obscure syndromes. It's helpfull when you get a kid with a dx you've never heard of (and judging by the kids I take care of in homecare you certainly will in a peds hospital ER) and need some background info. It actually pretty comprehensive. It's also interesting to flip though on a very slow shift, incidence is listed and you'll find syndromes with 5 known cases worldwide.

I had a spanish program with history questions but never really used it, a peds calc program that I rarely used, maybe in a PICU or ER? Don't remember the name. Harriet Lane can now be downloadedbut I've heard the book is much easier than the program, may be tru of some of the othr "basic" peds texts?

For peds, I would get an Ultrascope if I were you. They work very well, even through clothes. The pediatric size is good - you can use it on babies as well as small adults. The best thing is that they are so funky looking, that kids just want to play with it and aren't scared when you place it against them. I work in the NICU but sometimes float to Peds or PICU. Mine has a smiley face on it, and kids and parents just love it.

http://www.ultrascopes.com

If I were you, though, I'd either order one off Ebay (can save about $25 there) or email the company directly and ask them to send you a catalog. They haven't updated their site in years, and they now have at least twice as many head styles as is shown on the site. They will send you a full-color catalog if you ask.

You've both given me some great information. Thanks so much!