question about stethoscopes?

[student-with-no-life]

How often should you replace your stethoscope? I heard today you should get a new one about every 2 years. Is this true?

I have an ADC cardiology one and it is just now 2 years old. I paid about $150 for it and I love it, only thing wrong with it is it is curved from being around my neck

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I know that 3M refurbishes stethoscopes for a relatively inexpensive fee. I would google the company and check into whether they have a similar remanufacturing program.

[RN1989]

I have never heard anything specific about replacing stethoscopes. I have had the same stethoscope for years. I have had to change out the tubing a couple of times as tubing tends to harden after several years of exposure to your body oils hanging around you neck. I have never found that there was a significant decrease in hearing ability even when the tubing started to harden. Although I do expect good stuff when I spend money to get a good stethoscope.

[student-with-no-life]

thank you-I was hoping I didn't have to get a new one, im happy with this one:monkeydance:

[nurseangel47]

And along this vein, what brand/company would I find a moderately priced general med/surg practical stethoscope, not listening for cardiac/pulmonary/g.i. sounds outside my usual realm of nursing practice, that is, just plain ol' well rounded 'scope but one that would stop ambient noise or at least reduce it tremendously and one that would enhance the sounds I'm trying to hear! What say you, oh kind nurses? I've gone thru 2 or 3 I guess in twenty years so I do tend to hold on to them longer than is probably recommended! Thanks for any responses.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

You can also extend the life of your tubing GREATLY by just getting one of those Steth Socks: a couple of different types out there, just a simple cotton tube, really, that slips over the end so the tubing doesn't come into contact with skin. Slips off for washing. My steth is a year and a half old and looks brand spanking new, and believe me it gets used alot :)

[leslymill]

You probably would get the answer better from the manufacturer. Does the one you have have a warranty. I used mine until it is not usable.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

For the well -rounded scope: Littmann makes a couple in the $40 range: one with a one-sided head and one with a dual head teardrop shape.

For the OP: for heaven's sake you don't have to replace it unless it's broken! And mine has a permanent curve in it too.

For the wear and tear: I hear that armorall wipes work for regular (not electronic scope) tubing. But the socks things probably work nice too and smell better.

[cmo421]

Stethoscope should last for along time(unless they walk!). But the ears need to be replaced often! Many ear pieces carry pseudomonous(spelling?) and such! I have chronic ear issues because of that fact. So change out ur ear pieces often and never a lender be, and u should be fine!

[RNperdiem, RN]

As long as you can hear what you need to hear, then your stethescope is just fine. It would be in a company's interest to have us all buying new equipment every 2 years.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I never heard of replacing stethoscopes prior to them breaking.

I just replaced mine after 9 years.

steph

[RNforhire07]

Those steth socks were outlawed at one hospital I worked at as they said it was an infection control issue........

I've had my Littmann Master Cardio scope for almost 3 yrs now...Works like a champ! I've tried others and nothing compares to a Littmann imho!